Everybody in the Healer's Den was in a flurry. Incidents like this one were a very rare occurrence and Jenny wasn't stocked enough on bandages to even hope to try and staunch the flood of blood that was pouring from multiple gashes on both cats' bodies. Teaser had retreated herself in the farthest corner of the den, so not to be blocking Jenny and Jelly while they were spinning around. Tugger had been put on a long and small table while Lenny was still in Quaxo's arms, due to the fact that the young magician couldn't be persuaded to let the black cat go.
"Quaxo…please let us help him! Put him down next to Tugger and Jenny will heal him!"
No reaction whatsoever confirmed to Munkus that the young tom wasn't even paying attention to the surroundings too deep in shock to even notice or care. He then resolved to apply a little bit of brute force to pry away the injured cat from his brother but the second he attempted that train of thought a lighting managed to catch his twitching tail, severely bruising it. Sighing he let go, hoping that Jenny's soothing manners would have more success than his. He perfectly knew how the magician was fairing: his own little brother was still on death's door and he hadn't even been there to protect him from harm.
I'm sorry Munkus but I don't think you will never understand what I'm feeling right now. I know Tugger is your brother but Helena is so much more than a sibling! I'm sorry little sis. I should have dispatched that stray faster so I could have come to your aid. Every time things play out in the same way as ever. I'm the oldest, the male between us, why is it that the one getting hurt is always you? Don't you understand that putting yourself in harm's way doesn't save my life at all? If anything were to happen to you, you perfectly know I would follow almost immediately. But why? What compelled you, this time, to put yourself in danger like this? Your power works perfectly from the distance, in the shadows; nobody would have seen you and that Pollicle would still be dead and Tugger safe. Why did you have to come down? Why…oh! I see it now! The curious cat has breached my little sister's frozen heart. But why didn't you tell me? Don't you trust me enough? Did you think I wasn't going to approve? Well…it's not that I don't think he has potential, but Tugger? The flirt of the entire tribe? Oh, I'm doing exactly what you feared I would do aren't I? I trust sis, even if I might not like it, I know you and I know him, some ways it'll work out, I'm sure about this. Now, though, you have to survive this, both of you have! I just couldn't…
…heal…him…Mis-to!
Helena? Sis! How are you? How can I help?
Tap…into my…po-powers and h-eal him…please.
I don't think you are strong enough to sustain this kind of stress! I'm sure that Jenny is perfectly able to heal him fine!
You don't…understand! Can't you…feel him…slipping awa-away?
In that exact moment the small magician became aware of his surroundings: sounds and smells slammed brutally into his senses and he almost doubled over in shock when his eyes landed on the broken form of his best friend. Even though nobody knew that, Quaxo was a psychic of medium power, so he immediately started to feel the area for any signs that could confirm his sister's hunch. He could feel Munkus' gnawing remorse over his brother's condition, Jenny's panicking efficiency in trying to staunch the blood on Tugger, so she could move on to her other patient, hoping she had enough supply to a least try to save him. He could also feel the raw worry and fear of the entire Tribe; but worst of all he really did feel Tugger's will slowly retreating in the face of death. Helena was right! The asinine Maine coon was giving up!
Not on my watch you don't Tugger! I might despise and make fun of your cocky and arrogant ass, but I'm not letting you take the easy way out!
Without anybody noticing the tux's paws started to sparkle while he absorbed one of his sister's powers: the power of healing. Once that was done he gently set the lithe black body on the floor and stepped up so to get closer to Tugger.
"Jenny please! Could you step away? Trust me, I might be his only option at living!"
Quaxo could sense that the Gumby Cat wanted to argue, but a soft growl behind him had her backing down. The Silver Tabby stepped beside the magician: "If you can do something than do it!"
Nodding sharply the black and white cat turned around to face the coon. His heart clenched at the sight of the devastation that the damn Pollicle did on what was once the perfectly groomed body of his best friend. Aside from four long gashes on his face and arms, Tugger's fur was bloody and stained and his personal pride, his mane, was almost completely missing. A part of Quaxo was relieved the Maine coon was unconscious otherwise he knew that the older Tom wouldn't have survived this mess.
Hesitantly he took another step forward and wave gently his hands in the air. This power wasn't his by birthright so he knew it was going to be difficult to activate it. After another couple of attempts he was about to give up…
Love…love is the key.
Love? Quaxo inconspicuously snickered: leave it to his hopelessly romantic sister to have been born with a power whose trigger was…love!
Waving his hands in the air again he focused onto Tugger: he pictured him in his den, once of the many nights they had spent together. He pictured him happy and satisfied when a hunt had gone particularly well. He pictured him relaxed while talking to the black that passed himself as his brother. He saw him and felt him surrounded by his fan-club, absorbing every small crunch of affection from everyone while trying to figure out how to make even more trouble. Finally the magician smiled: Tugger was Tugger, a curious cat, a flirt, maybe even a whore, definitely a troublemaker, but was also a loyal friend and a deep soul, but most of all the Rum Tum Tugger was…his best friend!
On that thought the power he tried to summon roared to life and sprung from his hands like it had a life of his own. Without Quaxo doing anything soft golden and lilac sparks traveled the mangled body in front of him, knitting bones and closing cuts, healing bruises and growing fur and mane till not even the smallest trace of what had happened remained on the coon's body.
Gaping at the obvious miracle in front of his eyes – it wasn't the first time he had seen Lena's healing power at work, it was very much the first time he had seen it cure this extensive damage – he whirled on the spot to try and heal also Lenny's body. Panic shot through his body when he felt the power surge die out.
NO! I have to heal her also! Don't leave!
Misto, do not worry big brother. My power cannot heal me, not even if another one was using it. These are the rules and nobody can change that fact. Thank you though, for healing him! Try not to worry too much about the time I'll take in my recovery. I promise I'll be back but if you worry too much you'll grow older ahead of time! I love you and I'll be back! Don't get into troubles while I'm gone!
Too numb to really feel anything at all, Quaxo barely noticed a silver paw in his shoulder, whether to restrict him of comfort him, he really couldn't say. He watched, without seeing, as Alonzo and Pouncival moved his brother's body next to Tugger, where Jenny started to work with alacrity. Now that one of his patients was out of the woods the Gumby cat was sure to have more than enough supplies to save the black cat in front of her.
"Quaxo, what in the name of the Everlasting Cat, has just happened here? One minute you were waving like a mad man, the next my brother doesn't even look like he has been into a fight! And why is Jenny attending your brother? Couldn't you heal him too?"
"I have healed him Munkus. It's kind of a new thing. I can't really control it like I want. Apparently it comes and goes as it pleases. I…can't…summon it again. I tried but Lenny's best chances at the moment reside in Jenny's expertise. I'm sorry!"
And with the last two broken words the small tom-kit broke down in the Protector's arms. The silver tabby simply embraced the smaller cat and held him, while murmuring sweet nonsense into his ears.
"I have stabilized him. I cannot guarantee you anything but, for the moment, he seems out of the woods."
With a loud cry the small tux bolted from Munkuntrap's arms and quickly he was at his brother's side, holding tenderly one of his paws in his. His heart clenched of the unnervingly still figure on the small bed. The white bandages stood out on the tom-kit black fur and with a grimace Quaxo realized that they greatly resembled the white patches that were normally present when Helena reverted back to her own body. Sighing again the magician kept holding the paw and praying the Everlasting Cat for a miracle of some sorts.
A soft groan, followed by a somewhat pained moan, had everybody jerking out of their thoughts. Much like Quaxo earlier Munkus bolted towards his own brother, while a relieved cry escaped his lips.
"Rum, you're alive! Oh thanks the Everlasting Cat! I thought I had lost you! Never scare me like this ever again, all right?"
Tugger could only dumbly nod at the sudden outburst and subsequent request of his older brother. Feeling his throat dry and parched he managed to swallow: "What has happened? Why am I here'"
"You don't remember anything at all?"
"I remember there were Pollicles, lots of them, and that they had attacked Teazer…I remember fighting with you and then getting separated from the rest by a huge black stray. I don't remember much of the fight apart the fact they I was knocked down pretty soon. When I came to Quaxo was standing over me, although that memory is a bit fuzzy…he said he was relieved to see me alive and then…nothing…I'm sorry Munk!"
"No, don't be little brother! None of this is your fault!"
While the two brothers were chatting Quaxo had his ears trained on the conversation: he knew that Tugger had seen Helena in her true form, but fortunately he had seemed to assume that he had seen Quaxo. Cursing silently at his own sister's careless behavior, he quickly whipped up a believable enough story, one he hoped he could manage to say without giving himself away.
"…I guess I owe you double the thanks I previously thought. But if you were the one standing over Tugger, how come that Lenny is the one injured?"
As soon as the words had left his mouth Munkus cursed himself for his own stupidity! How could he have implied that Quaxo hadn't been a good enough protector?
Wincing slightly at the remark about his inability to protect his brother Quaxo proceeded to explain what had happened: "When we heard about the Pollicles attacking Teazer me and Lenny went ahead of you to try and assess the situation. That's basically why you found me already battling the dogs. I know you saw only me, but I was to play decoy while Lenny, thanks to his black coat, blended in the shadows and took Teazer out of there…"
"He's right Munkus! He came to me and carried me all the way here! I could tell he was worried sick about his brother but, even though I told him it was ok, he didn't dump me halfway through…"
The Jellicle Protector nodded to the striped queen and smiled grimly at her, while motioning for the tux to move on with the story.
"When he came back I saw him standing on top of a junk pile, trying to assess where his presence was going to be most needed. At that time I was fighting the second-in command alone, but Lenny didn't come to me. I saw him tensing and then bolting down the hill towards the black dog and Tugger's unmoving form. When he slammed into the Pollicle, thus distracting him, I launched myself on top of Tugger just to make sure he was alive. That's how he saw me. When he blacked out again I knew we didn't have much time: I spotted Lenny fighting both the dogs and dove again for my previous opponent so to help him. I was so engaged in my fight that I didn't pay much attention to his, but from the gashes I think we can all imagine how it went. You know the rest of the story…"
Munkunstrap simply nodded, knowing that no words of comfort could help the magician in that moment, but he smiled at him nonetheless, thankful of his effort of retelling what was, obviously, a terrible memory.
"But…if I was in such a badly shape, probably on the verge of death, no don't lie to me Munk you don't cry that easily and you obviously been crying, how come I don't have a single bruise on me? I look like I have just finished my morning toilette…"
"Quaxo healed you Tugger."
The coon remained silent for a while, trying to digest the new information: little and shy Quaxo was a healer, other than having also offending powers. That was so cool! Why on earth didn't Lenny tell him that it was beyond him! The Everlasting Cat only knew how close those two had become, always gossiping about this and that. Quaxo was definitely his best friend, but the affinity with Lenny ran at a much deeper level…but where was Lenny? If he heard Quaxo correctly then the black cat was the one who took over his battle but where was he now? He quickly scanned the area and his eyes fell on a lump just behind Quaxo's small form, and a sense of dread settled in his very being.
Getting up from his bedding he made his way towards the magician, wobbling slightly in the process. Too late Munkus notice what he was doing and tried to stop him.
"NO! This isn't possible! Why is he here? Why didn't you heal him?"
"TUG STOP IT! Quaxo said it is a fairly new power over which he doesn't have full control! There is no need to yell at him like this!"
"But why did you choose to heal ME first? Why didn't you heal HIM! I'm not THAT important and I am sure that nobody would have missed me…"
During the previous exchange and accusation the tux had remained silent with his head down, physically taking every verbal blow Tugger was throwing at him; but then that asinine coon had said that he wasn't important, that nobody was going to miss him in the event of his death, and white searing hot anger burnt in Quaxo's vein. By saying this the coon had negated the sacrifice his sister had done for him, and the magical cat wasn't about to let this thing slide. With a display of lighting and sparks he unleashed his fury onto the unsuspecting tom:
"YOU MORONIC IDIOT! LISTEN TO YOURSELF! SO SELF ABSOREBED EVEN IN THESE DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES! NOT EVERTHING REVOLVE AROUND YOU TUGGER! MY BROTHER SACRIFICED HIMSELF SO YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LIVE! YOU SAID IT YOURSELF YOU WERE AT DEATH'S DOOR. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW CLOSE YOU WERE TO SLIP AWAY FOREVER! HE HAD SEEN THAT! BEFORE BLACKING OUT HE TOLD ME TO HEAL YOU FIRST, BECAUSE YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO THE TRIBE! YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO HIM! YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO ME! HE CARED FOR YOU ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER CHANCE AT LIFE SO DON'T YOU DARE SELLING YOURSELF SHORT YOU MISERABLE ASININE IMBECILE!"
As suddenly as it had come the sudden fury vanished, leaving a panting small tux and four flabbergasted cats in the Healer's Den. Nobody would have ever imagined that Quaxo could be so…scaring, but Jenny had to admit that Tugger's face after the burst had been priceless.
"Ehm…well…I need to go tell everybody else that you're out of the woods Tugger and that Lenny is going to make it! I suppose you best come with me Teazer, I'm sure Jerrie will be relieved to see you alive!"
Without looking at anyone Munkunstrap hastily retreated followed suit by the striped queen. After a couple of minutes Jenny excused herself as well, muttering something about replenishing stocks, leaving the two toms alone.
Once alone Quaxo literally collapsed next to his brother and started sobbing silently while holding one of his paws.
"I'm sorry about earlier Tux! I didn't mean to scoff on your brother's big heart, but you two are the firsts that would do something for me…I guess I'm really not used to real affection!"
"No Tugs, you have just been blind to true affection! Everybody here love you and would be devastated if you died. Try imagine Etcy's reaction to that!"
Both of them winced slightly imagining the sheer amount of ultrasonic yelling that would come out of the kitten's mouth in the dramatic case her Tugsie was no more.
"I hate it when you're right Quax! But I suppose that I never wanted to see their affection for me! Still you should have tried to heal Lenny first. He is your brother after all!"
"You might not want to see it Tugs, but Munkus loves you! He was going to kill himself if you hadn't made it, and I wasn't going to have his blood on my hands if I could prevent it!"
"Yeah…well…thanks! I was wondering…"
"Yeah Tugger?"
"Would you like to move in with me? I mean..just until Lenny gets better, of course! I mean your den is enormous, due to Lenny's imposing figure, so I figured you'd be lonely…oh I'm rambling! Ignore me!"
"I'd be happy to move in with you till he gets better! You're right, my den is enormous and very lonely for one cat! Thank you! Would you like to keep me company while I stay here with him? I'd really appreciate it!"
Swallowing the lump in his throat, the Maine coon grabbed a stool a without a word he sat himself on the other side of the bed, praying the Everlasting Cat that Lenny was going to survive, because if he didn't the Rum Tum Tugger wasn't sure if he was going to get on the shock. Because, apparently he had discovered he couldn't live without the younger black cat.