Cataclysm’s life began with being abandoned. She was only a newborn when she was tossed into a trash heap, likely down a shoot from the upper levels for the "crime" of being born with mutations. Ruin, The leader of The Rust Rats, found her there and took her in despite knowing how dangerous it was to raise a child in the Gnawyard. She grew up among the Rust Rats, her dragonlike features (her mutations) becoming more pronounced with age. The Rust Rats raised her like a sister, teaching her how to scrap, brawl, and build. She took to it all like a natural, however she also grew afraid that her femininty would be mistaken as weakness and hid her softness behind jokes and brawling.

When she was a pre-teen/early teen, she saved Ember from a bridge collapse and granted her new legs. She brought Ember back home to the Gnawyard. It started simply as a feeling of pride in her rescue, but grew from there. Cat began to see Ember as a close friend, and then later Cat fell in love with Ember. She kept this love hidden, too scared to expose her softness, and tried to win Ember over with her strength instead.

During the Lychblight Crisis Cat fought alongside Ember to bring a cure to the people of the lower levels. They had to fight through the territories of many Rival Gangs, as well as through the O.W.A and upperlevels. Through these trials Cat learned how to express her softness, and also finally told Ember "I love you." Through their years together, Cat became Ember’s shield and partner, joking through fear, brawling through chaos, and crafting a sanctuary where Ember could remove her mask safely.