It was that night that the Rum Tum Tugger received the most unexpected of visitors. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he opened his eyes and saw the two psychic twins staring eerily down at him. "Everlasting Cat- don't you guys ever knock?"
Coricopat raised his eyebrows, clearly not amused. "Perhaps you don't wish to hear our visions?"
"I think you'll like them," Tantomile said, smirking.
Tugger sighed. "Fine."
"Our first vision entailed the details of what happened the night Mistoffelees died."
"Everything was made known to us."
"Every revelation."
"Every pain."
"And every spoken word," they finished together.
Tugger glared at the duo. "Your point?"
"Something this Quaxo said has more meaning than perhaps you know," Coricopat said.
"He mentioned magical cats," the sister continued, "and inadvertently labeled you as one of them."
"Your voice was always a stimulant for Mistoffelees' power. Upon further reflection, we realized that it wasn't his devotion to you that caused this."
"When you sing, others listen. You enchant them, mesmerize them."
"They're powerless to stop you."
Tugger mulled over this new information. "I guess… What's your point?"
"Magical cats are more common than you realize."
"However, most of them have powers that are dramatically less obvious than ours' or Mistoffelees'."
"When you sing," Tantomile explained, "you hold everyone around you in the palm of your hand."
Tugger thought about this for a moment. "That sounds kind of awesome. But what are you two getting at?"
"We've had visions on this subject before," Tantomile said.
"Perhaps Munkustrap told you?" Tugger nodded. "In one vision, we were told that the lover would kill an interloper."
"But in another, the lover was supposed to save Mistoffelees."
"As you can imagine," continued Coricopat, "this caused us great confusion."
"But our vision of the events following the Jellicle Ball made it clear. You didn't actually kill Mistoffelees."
Tugger was taken aback. "Excuse me? I think I would know. I think I was there when I stabbed him in the chest with a piece of metal," he said bitterly.
"You killed his body, yes," Tantomile said.
"But it was Quaxo's spirit who resided in the body at the time."
"But before he died, Mistoffelees spoke to me," Tugger protested.
"Yes," Coricopat continued. "However, by that time, the deed was done- Quaxo was dead. And so was Mistoffelees' body."
"He willed himself back in just long enough to try and speak to you, but was forced out."
Tugger was silent for a moment. "What are you saying?" he finally asked.
"Our second vision," Coricopat began, "was the voice of Mistoffelees' spirit crying out for help."
"His magic still remains with him…"
"…however he lacks the power to bring himself back into this realm."
"Although a little help from his lover might just be what he needs," Tantomile finished.
Tugger's eyes widened. "So you're saying that I could maybe-?"
"Yes," the duo said in unison.
Tugger wasted no time. "I'll be back," he said, rushing out of his den.
The night air chilled the Rum Tum Tugger, but inklings of light suggested that the sun would be rising in only minutes. The maned tom stood by the back gate, in the clearing, where it had all happened. If there's any chance of me reaching your spirit, he thought, it's here.
He offered a silent prayer to the Everlasting Cat. Tugger took in a deep breath. "The greatest magicians have something to learn…" His voice was rough from lack of use. He realized he hadn't sung a note since the Jellicle Ball. "…from Mister Mistoffelees' conjuring turn." His voice began to steady as his energy and confidence rose.
"And we all say: Oh well,-"
He felt strong.
"I never was there ever…"
He felt happy.
"…a cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees?"
He felt alive.
Tugger began the first verse of the song. "He is quiet, his is small, he is black…" For the first time since the Ball, he felt he had a purpose. He felt right about his life. "You've seen it one moment, and then it is gone. But you'll find it next week, lying out on the lawn." More than anything, he felt an outpouring of love for his little magician. Even more so than he'd felt the first time he'd sung it. "And we all say…" He could practically see Mistoffelees dancing along side him. He could almost feel the tuxedo tom's love for him. Tugger finished the chorus and began the second verse. "His manner is vague and aloof, and you would think there was nobody shy-"
"But my voice can be heard of the roof…"
Tugger's heart leapt in his chest. Could it be?
"…while I was curled up by the fire."
Tugger turned around. And there he was- his small frame, his black and white fur, his large blue eyes. "M-Misto?"
Mistoffelees smiled, his eyes filling with tears. "Yes, Tugger, it's me."
The maine coon ran to him and embraced him, knowing he'd have to touch him to believe he was truly there. He could feel Mistoffelees holding him tight. He could feel the magician's heart beating in his chest. He could feel him.
He was real.
Eventually Tugger pulled away slightly- just far enough to see his face, just close enough to keep his arms around him. One of his hands left Mistoffelees' back and went up to his face. He stroked it gently and brought it closer, his lips closing the distance between them. He felt sparks dance across their lips as Mistoffelees deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue inside Tugger's mouth. He felt the warm sun on his back as it slowly rose over the horizon. He felt sparkles fall lightly onto his fur.
Mistoffelees gently pulled away. He brushed the glitter off of Tugger's chest, causing the maine coon the chuckle. "Thank you," the conjuring cat said.
Tugger was puzzled. "For what?"
"For saving me."
"Misto, it was my fault-"
"I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth again."
"But-"
"Don't you dare think that, Tug. Listen to me: This was not your fault."
Tugger couldn't see even a hint of mocking on Mistoffelees' face. He looked up at the sky and smiled. "Okay."
"He's gone Tugger- that's what you did. Quaxo is gone forever." He beamed up at the maine coon. "But I'm here," he said, stroking Tugger's mane. "And I promise I'll never leave you again."
Tugger wrapped his arms around his lover, a purr echoing deep from within him. "I love you," he whispered.
Mistoffelees smiled. "I love you too."
Stay tuned for the epilogue!
