The Cat That Midnight Claimed And Other Short Stories

The Cat That Midnight Claimed

          At the very beginning of time there lived a woman named Noon and a man named Midnight. Noon wore white robes and carried a staff made of light while Midnight emanated darkness. Since they were polar opposites the pair hated each other and fought constantly; always threatening to destroy the universe when they did. With time they came to the conclusion that they could not rule together so Noon's domain became the light and Midnight ruled over the darkness. They never saw each other again because they were very careful to stay apart but that did not mean that they didn't still compete.
Noon was very gifted and could create many wonderful creatures and things but she was also very lonely. Her loneliness brought her great sorrow so one day she decided to create three cats to stay at her side thus Alder, Soleil, and Ash were born. The three cats were all very beautiful but one of the cats had beauty that exceeded all of the others. This cat was named Ash and had glossy white fur that looked like fallen snow. His eyes were a brilliant grey colour and they looked perfect against his white fur. The other cats were Soleil who was orange and Alder who was brown. They were also very beautiful but they paled in comparison to Ash.
One morning they were all relaxing by the hearth of Noon's fireplace when Ash disturbed the silence. "I'd better go and find Noon," he proclaimed. Ash always had many tasks to fulfill since he was Noon's favourite due to the colour of his fur. It was the most pure and since the other cats were orange and brown Noon tended to forget about them. "Why do you need to go and find Noon again," Alder asked. "Yeah. Just stay here with us," Soleil finished. The pair of cats could easily be compared to the earth and the sky. Alder was as brown as the soil and Soleil was the bright colour of the sun. To anyone who laid their eyes upon the cats it became strikingly clear that Alder was the brains of the operation.
With a slight laugh Ash answered. "I need to go. Noon was very insistent that she would need my help pulling the sun down when the time came and we all know how cranky Midnight gets when we make him wait." They all shivered remembering the last time they took too long. "Maybe you should go," Soleil decided. As soon as he said the words Ash darted towards the door and with a sharp turn his tail disappeared into the hallway.
"She always favours him," Alder complained. "We are just as good as him if not better." Unbeknownst to Noon the pair of cats had formed a great hatred towards Ash since they thought that he was below them and didn't understand why he got so much attention from Noon. Over the years they had become very jealous of Ash and although they still behaved kindly to his face whenever he wasn't around their true colours were revealed. "Yeah, I agree," Soleil claimed ecstatically. The orange cat was always eager to let Alder do the thinking so this was not an uncommon thing to hear. "Not to mention that he obviously thinks that he is better than us." Alder let out a huff after making his statement. "Hey," Soleil beamed. "I have an idea!" The sheer amazement in Alder's usually stoic expression would have been enough to make a mime laugh. It took the brown cat a few seconds to recover but when he did he insisted "alright Soleil. Tell me about your idea?" As the cats were whispering amongst themselves Ash was off helping Noon to lower the sun.
It would have been a difficult task for most people but Noon was well accustomed to the challenge and it would hardly take long. The sunset was quite a thing to behold and anyone who had the privilege of observing it would certainly be astounded. As Noon stood gazing up at the sun she motioned for Ash to go and fetch her white antique georgian chair. The small white cat raced across the paving stones to the chair that was positioned in an alcove by Noon's palace. He would need to pull the chair by a rope Noon had attached to it many years ago for exactly this purpose.
Before Ash picked up the rope to bring the chair to Noon he stopped to gaze up at Noon's palace. During the day it was there sparkling under the sun's hot rays but when night came it disappeared with the setting sun just like the rest of Noon's creations. It seemed a shame for the glimmering white turrets to fade every night but if it was left behind the creatures of the night would surely tear it's pearlescent walls down. With a start Ash realized that Noon was calling him so he grasped the rope in his teeth and raced back through her lush garden of every type of flower imaginable to the cobblestone courtyard where she stood waiting.
"What took you so long my child? Did you get distracted in the patch of white roses again," Noon sang. Ash laughed as the goddess' voice drifted through the air like the jangling of wind chimes. "Of course not m'lady. I know how important this task is and am very grateful that you have trusted me with it," Ash replied. Noon gazed up at the sun that was still and calm in the midday sky. She then positioned herself on the chair and assured him "There is no reason to be so formal my dear." Her voice rang throughout the courtyard and Ash could not help but think about how grateful he was to be a creature of the day so he could bask in Noon's warm presence.
          He watched as Noon reached her staff up towards the sun and with a small click it hooked into place. Although there were many beautiful hours of Noon's reign this was always his favourite. It was as if everything stilled and every wonderful creature stopped to watch the ethereal ceremony. Slowly Noon began to pull the sun down to earth. As it grew closer to her she began to glow in all manner of majestic colours. There were soft pinks and blues. As well as brilliant yellows and purples. Bit by bit as she pulled the sun closer to her the colours expanded, fanning out until they covered most of the sky. Everything they touched began to wane along with the daylight.
When the sun came directly face to face with Noon she began to fade as well and as the last light trickled away the world fell into an immeasurable silence and Ash disappeared with the rest of creation. He would not watch what came next in the ceremony for it was not for the eyes of Noon's children. As the world settled into its newfound darkness the creatures of the night came out to play. With a sickening crack the earth split and where Noon's castle stood only moments before a castle darker than the night in which it resided rose from the chaos. It's pires looked as if they were made of obsidian and as the moon appeared and the stars brightened the inky raven walls glistened as though they were infused with the light of the moon.
          With another crack the middle of the courtyard split and a man dressed in a jet black suit rose from the abyss. He let out a sharp whistle and his monstrous allies bounded over the hills and ran through the trees. These were the corrupted, the broken, and the betrayed; creatures that Noon had turned against or forgotten. Suddenly a raven darted through the air to find his perch on the dark man's shoulder. "Hello Vasco," he greeted. This was midnight's domain and he had finally arrived.
Night passed slowly as it always did and when the daylight came Noon awoke to raise the sun and the darkness undid itself once more. Just as it had come it disappeared without a trace and Ash rose from his sleep in Noon's palace. Little did he know that today would change the course of his life and make him realize where he was always meant to be in the world. The small white cat rose from his nook of pillows and blankets and slowly sauntered through the hallways. As he wandered he occasionally stretched and then continued to walk. He never needed to eat and therefore had plenty of time on his hands in the morning to explore while waiting for the rest of creation to wake up. The birds were singing in the field when he arrived and the forest of massive oak trees was practically bursting with life.
          When Ash finally finished his rounds and arrived back at the castle Alder and Soleil were arguing about something he couldn't make out. As soon as they noticed him they froze and a grin spread over Alder's face. Since Ash was oblivious to their scheming he didn't stop to consider that perhaps there was something more sinister at play. "Good morning," Ash greeted. Soleil smiled at Ash as Alder asked "did you sleep well?" Ash nodded and then approached the inseparable duo. "We were wondering if you would spend the day with us." Alder claimed. "You're always so busy helping Noon out and we think you deserve a break." Most people would have overlooked Alder's strange behaviour but anyone who knew him quite well could see his aggression. The brown cat was done with coming in second to Ash.
          "Well, I don't know," Ash worried. "What if Noon needs me?" Ash didn't want to abandon her but it was hard for his mind not to stray to thoughts of one nice day of rest. "Relax. I'm sure that Noon would be alright with you taking one day off," Alder coaxed. If they wanted their plan to work it was very important that Ash agreed to take the day off. "I guess it shouldn't hurt as long as I'm back in time for the sunset," Ash decided. Soleil and Alder's eyes lit up and before Ash could say another word they had pulled him out of the room in a flurry of fur. The cats flew down the corridors with Ash following behind them. Ash took one more glance around the palace. He didn't know it now but he would never set foot on its marble floors again. With one final glimpse of the bright white steps and the grand entrance hall Ash was pulled down the path towards the lake.
          Alder and Soleil didn't need to discuss where they were taking him because he already knew. It was where they always used to gather so why not go there again. Although the rest of Noon's creations no longer remembered, there hadn't always been a hierarchy within the cats and in fact many years ago they had been equals. That was until Noon began to pick Ash over Alder and Soleil. She chose her preferred cat and just like that they were tossed aside. Noon would never admit it but it was obvious in the way she looked at them. Although they were not yet the colours of the night they were much closer than Ash. Her precious little white cat was pure in her mind while they were hideous to her. Since she could not bear to have those evil thoughts in her heart she kept a great distance from them whenever she could so that she would have no reason to repress the thoughts.
          The cats had become just as lonely as she had been before their creation. Perhaps their plan was cruel and would condemn someone who they had once called a friend but they couldn't see the error of their ways. One thing that's certainly true is that in the dark places it often becomes hard to see the light and the cats were in a very dark place. The darkness was surrounding them and like bats they could no longer see their way to the end of the tunnel. This brought them to the conclusion that they needed to find their own way out.
          The cats enjoyed their day in the empty clearing. They spent hours staring into the crystal clear waters of the pond and relaxing on its banks. Their conversations were about many things but for the most part they reminisced about the past; when they were kittens, the games they used to play, the first time they met. They even talked about the times they had fought. They were family and although Ash realized that he didn't usually have time for them he didn't see their family splitting up anytime soon. He trusted Alder and Soleil with his life and that was his greatest mistake.
          Once they had been at the pond for many hours Alder and Soleil decided to put their plan into action. Both cats positioned themselves behind Ash who was resting at the pond's edge and together they pushed him into the crystal blue water. Ash was immensely surprised and yelped as he fell into the glassy pool. In only a few moments he had paddled his way back onto dry land but he was already soaking wet. "What did you do that for," he hissed. Ash despised the water and he had told them this many times. "It was just in good fun Ash. Relax," Alder teased. "We'll build a fire to help you dry off."
          Before Ash could respond Soleil had already scurried off to gather wood. "Just wait here and we'll have the fire raging in no time," Alder assured before going to join Soleil. With a sigh Ash sat on the grass to wait. He was cold, wet, and all around pretty miserable but he couldn't stay mad for long. Ash just hoped that he would be dry in time to assist Noon with the sunset. The small white cat's worries consumed his thoughts so much that he didn't even realize when the other felines returned. He was finally brought back to reality when Soleil squealed "yes," and the fire blazed to life.
          Ash quickly huddled closer to the flame and the cats sat in silence. The white cat wasn't sure why the pair had become quiet but he didn't bother to ask. In truth, the cats were having second thoughts about their plan. If they went through with their idea Ash would be cast aside and unwelcome amongst creation. He would be alone and there would be no going back to the way things had been. This wasn't like the games they had played as kittens. This was serious and it would change everything. Their pondering was put to an end when Alder remembered how alone he had felt in the world with only Soleil at his side, when Ash had turned his back on them. He was done feeling that heartache, now it was Ash's turn.
          "You should probably be getting back to Noon," Alder sighed. The strength he had felt earlier in the day had since disappeared. "Of course. Let's hurry back," Ash stated. The fire was out and the final embers were fading quickly. Alder grimaced and then asked Ash "would you help me stamp out these last few embers?" Alder could no longer see their red hot glow but he just needed to get Ash to walk a little bit closer to the firepit. "I don't see any embers remaining," Ash proclaimed as he moved to get a closer look. Soleil's plan was working miracles and luckily for them there was plenty of soot left over from their blazing inferno.
          Without another thought Alder pushed Ash into the black powder. While Soleil kicked more and more soot onto Ash's fur Alder stood back to watch white change to grey and grey change to black. As the soot bled into the beautiful white cat's fur Ash wailed in agony. His fur was what set him apart from the other cats and now that he was the colour of death itself Noon would have no choice but to take pride in them instead of Ash. Proud of his work Soleil began to walk back to the palace. They would have the honour of helping Noon with the sunset ceremony today but before Alder turned away he caught sight of Ash's grey eyes opening. He made eye contact with the black cat and whispered "I'm sorry" before going to join Soleil on the walk into their new lives.
          When they arrived back at the palace the cats told Noon of how Ash drowned in the pond. They claimed that they tried to rescue him but were too late. They cried and wailed at all the right times and just as they expected they were given a very honourable new position in the sunset ceremony. As for Ash, he stayed in the firepit for what felt like a lifetime before he was able to stand and walk to the water's edge. Staring back at him was the reflection of a cat that he didn't know. It had fur the colour of ebony or soot and every time he moved it glinted against the sunlight. The only sign that it was his reflection staring back at him was his brilliant grey eyes reflected off of the water's surface. This was who he was now and no matter what he did he would never be a creature of the day again.
          Regardless of the fact that his life had been turned upside down Ash felt at peace. He would finally get to see the other side of the sunset ceremony and that calmed him. At a slow pace Ash gradually made his way along the path, being very careful to take in everything around him. He walked past the massive oaks of the forest and the meadow full of chirping birds. For the first time Ash wasn't in a hurry to get back to the palace and he practically laughed when he reached the top of a hill and saw that the sunset ceremony was just about to begin.
          It was almost surreal to stare down at the courtyard where Noon sat with her staff hooked onto the sun. Alder and Soleil stood at her side and despite their betrayal Ash was happy for them. Soleil was beaming and Alder looked like he had finally found his place. Ash finally knew what it felt like to be alone and he couldn't blame them for wanting to be free of the feeling. While Ash watched, Noon began to pull the sun down to the earth. Just as always the colours appeared and expanded. It was a slow process but Ash took the time to savour every last moment.
          When the colours had just about reached everything and his brothers were quickly fading Ash met Alder's gaze. The brown cat had been scanning his surroundings and he looked incredibly scared when he made eye contact with Ash who only nodded and smiled. The message was clear enough and Alder calmed down. In only seconds the colours had disappeared and the sun's light faded.
          The world fell into never ending darkness and Ash waited as the stars brightened and the moon began to glow. He couldn't believe his eyes when a castle rose from the earth and a man wearing a black suit appeared. As Ash gazed upon the grand palace he decided that the night was far more beautiful than the day had ever been. It was silent and calm. He had finally found his place. Only once the creatures of the night had arrived and a raven had perched itself on the man's shoulder did Ash dare to approach the courtyard.
          In long graceful strides Ash approached Midnight who was waiting with his hands clasped. "We've been awaiting your arrival Ash. You will be the guardian of the darkness watching over us all and every time you cross someone's path they will know that you are at work. Welcome to the night," he beamed. This was Midnight's domain and Ash was finally home.