"Well done you two," Macavity said, thumbing through the pages of the old tome. He didn't recognized the symbols, but he sensed the power the flowed through each one.

"Thank ya sir," Mungojerrie replied. "Now, about this story you mentioned-"

"There's one more phase of my plan I need to implement. Then I will tell you everything you need to know." He turned to Mungojerrie. "Find Gilbert and tell him to gather my henchmen and execute The Plan."

"The Plan?"

"Yes. He'll brief you on the details. It's your choice whether you wish to join or not; once you hear the details, you'll understand."

"Right sir," Mungojerrie said, backing towards the door, giving his partner a nod.

Macavity turned to Rumpleteazer. "Follow me," he said. Her stomach turned but she obeyed.

They began walking down a long hallway and turned into a corridor Rumpleteazer didn't recognize. She realized she'd never been in this area before. "Where's we goin' sir?"

"We'll talk once we get there."

He ushered her into a dimly lit room and shut the door behind them. Her eyes adjusted to the light, and she realized in horror that they were in his bedchambers.

"Sir?" she said nervously, praying that she was misreading his intentions.

"You're beautiful you know," he said, sauntering towards her menacingly. "I've been watching you for a while and I knew you were meant to be mine." Her eyes widened and she took a step back. "This doesn't have to be difficult," he said smoothly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her towards him. She began to struggle and a weak laughed escaped from the ginger tom. "Apparently it does," he said threateningly. He smashed his mouth roughly against hers and pushed her towards the wall.

Instinctively Rumpleteazer scratched at his face and, in the split second of surprise that followed, kicked him between the legs. She ran through the door, narrowly dodging a lightning bolt shot at her, and slammed it shut behind her. She dashed through the hallway, remembering vaguely the path they had taken, knowing that one wrong turn could mean her death. She finally reached more familiar territory and began tearing past henchmen as she sprinted towards the entrance.

Once she was outside, she didn't stop. Tears streamed down her face and she continued to run, knowing that she would never be able to return.

Mungojerrie had respectfully chosen the not help with the mission.

He knew, despite a few of his short-comings, that he was valuable to Macavity. As a result, the Mystery Cat was occasionally generous in allowing the striped tom to decline participation in missions involving the Jellicles that he would find morally abhorrent.

Kidnapping was not something Mungojerrie agreed with. Especially when it was a member of the Jellicle Tribe. His allegiance to Macavity was stronger than his loyalty to the tribe, however he still had personal ties with many of its members. He'd vowed long ago that he would never knowingly betray a friend.

He didn't actually know who the target was. Mungojerrie could assume, but he'd specifically wanted to not know the name in case it was someone he knew.

If he didn't know the name then later on when the deed was done he couldn't feel guilty. Because technically he couldn't have done anything to stop it.

It was this sort of reasoning that pulled him through each day.

How he despised it.

Quaxo felt the energy build up inside him. He saw the looks of terror on those around him. He smiled. "Did you actually think you could kill me?" A blast erupted from within him, knocking those around him off their feet. "Poor, foolish Jellicles," he said.

Bolts of lightning shot from his hands, delivering death blows to whomever they hit. He smiled- this was the fate they all deserved.

Suddenly, he heard a voice, terrifyingly familiar. A figure walked up to him, his features hazy. "There's been a change of plans," it said coldly.

"I'm doing this for you. For us."

"No," the figure continued. "This is all about what you want. What you've always wanted." The shadowed cat looked away and shame filled his voice. "And I helped you."

"You said yourself that secrecy wasn't the way to live."

"Quaxo-"

"No!"

He felt the energy rise within him again. He gathered it in his hands and watched as it struck the shadowy figure. The cat crumpled to the floor. Then Quaxo realized in horror what he had done.

"No," he whispered, sinking to his knees. Tears began to sting his eyes. "NO!" he cried, slamming on the floor, causing the ground to crack under his fury.

A sudden stirring caused the magician to look up. Out of the gathering dust emerged a silhouette. Before he could react, he was mauled to the ground, the figure, obviously not dead, pinning him down, Quaxo's throat between his claws. "I tried to give you the chance to stop," the shadowed cat said. The pressure on the magician's neck increased. He felt blood begin to trickle from beneath the larger cat's nails. "But you've given me no alternative."

Quaxo coughed in a pitiful attempt to give a retort.

The cat looked away. "I'm sorry," he said, a painful sadness lacing his tone.

Quaxo felt a sharp pain and a sickening crack go through his neck. Then blackness ensued, and he knew no more.

Mistoffelees' eyes fluttered open. His body felt limp and stiff. He shivered, suddenly realizing how chilly it was. He shot out of bed, realizing what was missing. Where's Tugger? he thought, remembering how pleasant and comforting it felt when the maine coon's arms encircled him.

He must have already gotten up, he decided, ignoring that the Rum Tum Tugger's beauty sleep included staying in bed until at least noon. The sun was rising at that moment.

The previous night had gone fairly smooth. He decided not to mention to Tugger that the book was missing (lest there were more questions to be dodged) and figured he must have simply misplaced it. He resolved to try summoning it in the morning. He and Tugger had then gone to sleep with little incident. Despite his nap, Mistoffelees had still found himself exhausted.

"So what'd you dream about?" Quaxo appeared behind him, lying contently near the entrance of the vanity.

"You didn't kill him," Mistoffelees said thoughtfully.

"Aw, I wondered when you'd get to that part." The doppelganger said humorlessly. "I tried to. My energy was weakening; what I'd gathered hadn't been enough to kill him. And admittedly," he said, with some distain, "I suppose deep down I hadn't especially wanted to." He shook his head. "But of course, you would have no second thoughts to dwell on."

"So what, is this all just some revenge scheme?"

"No."

Mistoffelees waited for the other tom to elaborate. He didn't. "So what is this then?"

"An assurance that you'll receive the destiny I was denied."

"And what is this 'destiny' you speak so fondly of?"

Quaxo smirked. "You're going to destroy to Jellicles."

Mistoffelees stared at him blankly. "And what if I say no?" he asked condescendingly.

"Then from the looks of it, Macavity will do it for you."

"And what if I stop him, but still don't destroy the tribe?"

"How about you talk to him for yourself?"

Mistoffelees crossed his arms. "And what if I refuse to see Macavity?"

"You may not have a choice."

"Excuse me?"

Quaxo smirked. "Go find Tugger. Maybe he'll explain." He vanished.

Fear gripped Mistoffelees and his thoughts turned to the maine coon cat.

The Rum Tum Tugger was unconscious in Macavity's lair.

Anger filled Mistoffelees and he began sparking wildly. His eyes widened and he focused on Tugger's location, trying to make it appear.

But nothing happened.

The tom groaned as he slowly came to his senses, wishing he could return to the blissful state of unconsciousness. His wrists, bloody and chaffed, were bound high above his head, forcing him to stand in the middle of whatever hellhole he was in. Even with the keen eyesight of a cat, it was still almost too dark to make out any details.

A crack of light appeared, and the room lit up as a door creaked open and several large toms entered the cell. The imprisoned tom failed in holding back a snarl as their tall, ginger-colored leader appeared. "I hope you're enjoying your stay," the newcomer said.

"Cut the crap Macavity- what do you want with me?"

Macavity smirked. "Impertinent as always, aren't you brother?" He slid over to where the bound tom stood. "Actually, I don't want anything with you."

"Then why-"

"Because wherever you go, your little magician is certain to follow. And you're much easier to kidnap than he is."

The captured tom glared. "If you touch one hair on his head-"

Macavity chuckled. "You'll do... what? You're all talk Tugger, and you're insane if you think you can protect him. He has quite the destiny to fulfill." The Mystery Cat smirked. "If he's not dead before he can claim it."

The Rum Tum Tugger's foot shot out as he attempted to kick his older brother, but Macavity caught it, his paws crackling with lightning. The maned tom cried out in pain as the bolt shot into him. "I was going to treat you civilly," Macavity said menacingly. "But if this is what you want so be it." He turned to his henchcats. "Do what you will with him. Just make sure there's something left." He walked away as his minions surrounded Tugger, their claws bared.

And elsewhere, a small black tom sensed the pain of the maine coon, and cried out.