Tugger swore he had never been more in love with the conjuring cat than he was at that moment. He watched as Mistoffelees danced, a graceful little number that was as improvised as the song Tugger had sang.
Tugger hadn't know what he would sing when he climbed atop of the junk pile and called out to the others. But the words came anyway, ones that he hoped would display Mistoffelees in only the most positive of lights. He sang of the conjuring cat's exploits- a few embellished, a few made up, but most of them true- and as he did, Mistoffelees himself appeared and began to dance. Tugger joined him, but stayed out the limelight, allowing his love to get the support he needed so desperately.
Tugger broke away from Etcetera and Electra's grasp. "And not long ago," he sang, "this phenomenal cat produced seven kittens right out of a hat." Alright, he had made that up, but it might as well be true. He was certain Mistoffelees was capable of it.
The Junkyard was tense as Cassandra was selected as Mistoffelees' assistant for his "trick". She went under the red sheet. The tuxedo tom looked to Tugger for support, who chuckled and gave him a quick thumbs-up. Sparkles were blown atop of the sheet. Mistoffelees pulled it away and suddenly, in Cassandra's place, appeared Old Deuteronomy.
Gasps came from the surrounding cats. Tugger began to sing to his father, motioning towards Mistoffelees, revealing him as his savior. Tugger repeated the chorus of his song, and the other cats joined in, surrounding Mistoffelees and Old Deuteronomy. And when that was done, Mistoffelees escaped from the crowd and climbed atop a particularly high junk pile. "I give you," Tugger said, "the magical, the marvelous, Mr. Mistoffelees!" Mistoffelees jumped from atop the pile and disappeared into the air.
A beaming, sparkling Mistoffelees sat outside the clearing where he had just disappeared from. He was exhausted but elated.
Tugger appeared and pulled the tuxedo tom into a hug. "Told ya you could do it," he said.
"I can't quite describe it, Tugger. But when you sang, I felt energized, in control. Maybe you're a magical cat too," he joked, kissing his companion tenderly.
"I like the idea of not going back," Tugger said, his tail rubbing suggestively along Mistoffelees' thigh.
The smaller tom chuckled and pushed Tugger away. "Tug, your father is about to pick who goes to the Heaviside Layer."
Tugger pulled his companion back. "Look at me not caring," he replied, trailing kisses along Mistoffelees' neck.
"I sorta took the liberty of reading his mind Tugger. I already know who it is. Trust me; you'll want to be there."
"Misto-" Tugger began to protest, but the conjuring cat ignored him and instead began to focus intently upon his sister. He suddenly appeared along side of her.
Victoria hugged him but said nothing. Jemima was singing, her pure, innocent voice causing Mistoffelees to smile. "You're amazing," Victoria finally whispered. Mistoffelees held back a laugh as he watched a very put-off Tugger strut into the clearing. He stuck his tongue out at Mistoffelees. Victoria noticed and stifled a giggle, not wishing to interrupt Munkustrap, who was now speaking. "What happened to him," she asked quietly.
"He's just an idiot," Mistoffelees whispered teasingly. Suddenly he felt the presence, this time it was expected however. Grizabella walked slowly into the clearing, ignoring the glares she received from her peers around her. Mistoffelees saw the flash of understanding cross Tugger's face.
"I feel so bad for her," Victoria muttered sympathetically. "She seems so sad."
Grizabella began to sing, her beautiful voice describing her remorse and her desire for forgiveness. Tugger watched her intently, his face showing nothing but empathy. Mistoffelees decided that whatever they must have been talking about earlier had changed his mind about her.
Sorrow appeared to overcome the old queen and she fell to the ground, her body shaking with sobs. Jemima stood up and began to fill in for her, her kind countenance showing nothing but love for Grizabella. They sang together briefly, but the scarlet kitten stopped, allowing the Glamour Cat to finish on her own.
And finish she did. Silence filled the Junkyard as the queen's song ended, and the air was tense with anticipation. Mistoffelees watched as Victoria stood up and approached the queen, placing her small paws into the queen's withered ones. The white queen gazed at Grizabella lovingly and began to lead her toward the other cats, Mistoffelees being the first in line. She was sent down the row, all the cats having lost their bitterness and finding it within themselves to forgive the Glamour Cat.
Tugger wasn't among the crowd, but he watched from afar. Mistoffelees saw the two glance at each other, and he knew that all harsh feelings had vanished.
And so, Grizabella ascended to the Heaviside Layer. Mistoffelees couldn't help but smile as he watched her go up. He felt that if anyone needed a second chance to live, it was her. After what seemed like forever, she was gone. Old Deuteronomy began to sing and a feeling of peace descended upon the conjuring cat. He and the rest of the Jellicles joined with Old Deuteronomy in the final refrain, and the Jellicle Ball officially ended.
Mistoffelees was about to exit the clearing when Victoria ran up beside him, Plato following close behind. She hugged him. "I love you, you know that right?"
"I love you too Vicky," he said gently. He noticed Plato standing idly in the background. "Shouldn't you be with your new mate?"
She giggled. "I know, I just wanted to tell you. You were amazing this evening."
"I completely agree," Tugger said, sliding up to the duo. He put his arm around Mistoffelees and kissed him firmly on the lips, causing Victoria to blush and Plato's eyes to widen in shock. "Since you're Misty's new brother-in-law, I figured you should know."
"You are such an idiot," Mistoffelees said.
"Umm..." Plato said incoherently.
"I'll explain," Victoria said, leading the tom away. "Goodnight Misto. You too Tugger."
"You're just asking for troubled aren't you," Mistoffelees teased as he and Tugger left the clearing.
"I'm sorry; I've been a bad tom. I guess you'll have to spank me."
Vulgar isn't he. How about I get him out of your hair? Mistoffelees' eyes widened in horror as a sharp pain went through his head. He fell to his knees. Where to go... Hmm... How about the back gate? Now one seems to be there.
"What are you doing?" Mistoffelees said aloud, absently noticing Tugger's arms wrap around him.
Getting you away from him. Mistoffelees felt his surroundings change and realized in horror that he was kneeling by the back gate of the Junkyard. Pain coursed through his body and he fell to the ground in a heap. Laughter echoed in his head.
You're mine now.