Meanwhile, the violet-black fluffy Persian pulled her cape tighter around her body as she slunk down the musty smelling corridor. She crinkled her nose at the smell. When the operation was hers, she would clean it up and it would be a respectable place and not just some old grimy warehouse down by the smelly docks. As she approached the boss’s room, she made sure to put a believable haunted expression into her eyes. There was no need to let him in on her secret yet. She reached the door and took a deep breath and because of her rank, she entered without knocking. She was his right paw and the most powerful cat in the group. But Macavity didn’t know that. And he wouldn’t yet. She slightly bowed and he acknowledged her by saying,

“Ah, Carrigold, I trust everything went well?” came Macavity's voice, soft as thunder.

She nodded woodenly, saying, “Yes master. Of course. Have you no faith in me? Your best hench-cat? I’m ready to change now.”

Macavity nodded and somewhat stiffly got up and made his way the back of the room where the magic essentials and other stuff were kept.

While Carrigold could change herself, she preferred to let him do it. For each time he changed her, a portion of his power transferred to her and became hers due to a draining spell. It wasn’t extremely strong because she didn’t want Mac to lose his powers too fast. If he did, then she wouldn’t be able to bide her time and prepare. She hated to wait, but this time, not waiting meant total annihilation. So with the thought of infinite power, she endured but knew in her heart that soon it would be her turn to rise. In several more weeks, it would be time to drain him of his magic. Mac came back with a flask of a dark blue liquid and motioned her to stand directly in front of the tripod in the center of the back room. She did so and took her cape off and set it to the side.

Within the next couple of months, she would be the new Boss of the group. Usually it was the toms who would rule, but she was the next strongest in line. Oh sure, there the few toms that thought they could rule when Macavity was dead, Direcook, Splasher, and Freckllo to name a few, but they were no match for her. They had not had the same time and opportunities she’d had to hone her skills. They wouldn’t give her too much trouble. Besides, they were in the minority. In fact, she was the strongest cat now. At least of the evil cats alive. She chuckled to herself. She’d taken care of them temporarily and after she had her full powers, she would lock them in the “Triple Black Chaos Bond” and they would be destroyed forever. Right now however, they were only trapped as long as she was alive. After the spell was complete, it wouldn’t matter if she was dead or alive. All the mightiest evil cats in the world would be sealed away forever. However, their power would be lost. Carrigold would drain each one’s power until only a miniscule portion remained. If she took all, then the other cats’ will and desires would come with it. She wanted the power all right, but she wanted to shape it to fit her will. Not their weak ones. But first, she needed Mungojerrie and Macavity's magic. Her lips curled into a smile at the thought of the calico tom, she reminded herself to focus on the present task. After she shed her cloak and mask, she picked up her tail and held the jewels embedded in it between her violet paws and waited for the change to start.

He poured a few drops into the caldron and slowly a blue mist surrounded Carrigold. He muttered a few words and she closed her eyes and felt the changes start. There was a faint, steady crackle as the magic tension filled the air around her.

She cleared her mind and stood wanting, waiting. She really enjoyed the changes because she gradually became more powerful with each one. She felt her mouth start to change first. Her long silver fangs receded slightly. Her long silky violet-black fur slowly disappeared and was replaced by short colorful calico. Her eyes got smaller and became more almond shaped than round but they were still the same startling deep purple amethyst. Of all her features, the only things that stayed the same were her eyes and the diamonds on her tail. Her face became smaller and more pointed. Her dark facial coloring faded into white and orange with a sprinkling of little cute black freckles across the bridge of her nose. She was smaller and more petite, but she still had the same power as when she was Carrigold. The magic, however, was more potent when she was Carrigold. Carrigold was her real self and this cute calico was her alter ego if you will. It was very similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but not nearly as fatal.

While the calico was all a facade, it fit her. And it was a comfortable state to be in. As long as she didn’t stay in it too long. She was smart, cute, spunky, had a great sense of humor and oozed sex appeal like nobody’s business. She was in the calico form as much as she could because she enjoyed it. It also wasn’t as noticeable as Carrigold, a violet-black Persian. In addition, switching between Carrigold and Rumpleteazer helped her continue training and bending her powers to her wishes without losing control. After the change was done, the blue mist faded and Macavity sank into his chair exhausted. It seemed that he was scragglier and weaker then before. Good. The effects of the draining spell were showing. But he, being so obsessed with Demeter, wouldn’t notice. None of the other hench-cats would tell him for fear of “his” wrath. If they called him on it, she would know and she would kill that cat.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep changing you back and forth. Starting tomorrow I’m going to teach you how to do it yourself so I don’t have to do it. If I don’t have to do it then I can focus everything on Demeter.” Macavity panted heavily, visibly drained. He leaned back in his seat moaning, “Demeter, Demeter, why? Why? You’re hurting me…”

The little calico bowed and walked out of the room taking her cape and mask with her. She sneered at Macavity’s moaning about Demeter. Well, she would never fall into that same trap of love and obsession. That would only make her weak and weaklings didn’t hold any sort of power whatsoever. When she entered, she was Carrigold and when she departed, she was Rumpleteazer, the deadliest cat alive.