Epilogue:
Brit: Welp. Here's that long awaited ending. I hope you guys have enjoyed this story and thank you so much for making it this far!
He limped into his den, barely mustering the strength to do so. Old and frail he was. He lay down on a soft bed of pillows. Within the depths of his pipe in the junkyard. He was tired. So tired. It'd been so long. And now...He could hear that long forgotten voice calling to him. He wasn't afraid though. He felt at peace... He had just returned from the palace….He'd said goodbye to the queen… Ella wasn't there. She was long gone. She'd passed years ago. In fact many cats had. Including his beautiful Teazer. He smiled at the thought of her, and the Jellicle leader settled himself more comfortably into the soft nest. He closed his eyes, completely relaxed and content. But he didn't drift away as he expected. He opened deep green eyes again and blinked. Something didn't feel right. He pondered for a long time and thus his mind began to bring memories to the surface and his attention wavered, mind drifting to a faraway place.
He remembered his long life. It seemed he'd lived it nine times over. He remembered everything. Tugger finding him, the Jellicle ball, his first moment with Teazer, the fun he'd had with the two sets of twins, when he'd killed Macavity, each cat he'd helped. The times he'd nearly died before. His mother's memories. His father's memories. The good and the bad. He remembered each of his friends and family members dying. All the adventures he'd had since. All the things, he'd done and witnessed. The alliances he'd formed with other tribes. The history he had made. He'd become as infamous as Old Deuteronomy if not more so. All the younger cats had looked up to and praised him. All the older cats had respected and trusted him. Though. All the older cats were gone now. Only a few of the teens from when he'd first joined the tribe remained. Tantomile, Mungojerrie and Tumblebrutus. All the rest had gone in their own time. But the Jellicle junkyard was full. With all the cats whom had been born, or joined the tribe since well after Quaxo had returned to the tribe. And even more after he had become the Jellicle Leader after Munk's passing. He held three in particular, very dear to his heart. He wondered now what they would do without him…
And then suddenly as if his thoughts had summoned them, the three appeared, silently padding down the pipe with Mungojerrie bringing up the rear. The old tom walked along with some dignity and strength. He sure had matured after his near-death experience in their youth. And had served many long years as the Jellicle Protector before stepping down when the job became too much for him. But his job had been taken over by a wonderful cat, who was strong, and smart, and had every best trait a leader could have.
The three younger cats came to halt, in a ragged semi-circle around him, while Jerrie waited further back. Quaxo blinked at Jerrie.
"How did you know?" He asked.
"Tantomile." Was all he said, in response to Quaxo's questioning look. The old tux nodded.
"Father." Said the youngest, breaking him from his thoughts. Kaelashanks. A beautiful dark coated she-cat with blotches of white, ginger and brown scattered across her sleek pelt. She was lithe and her eyes were a soft teal color. Her white tipped tail drug in the dust.
"Do not be sad my daughter." He rasped, gently stretching out his neck, to lick his daughter's cheek. She was a bit wild natured most of the time and mischievous as her mother had been, but now whimpered, looking subdued and heartbroken. Her brother, older by only a year, rested his tail on his father's back. He had pained soft green eyes. He was the spunky adventurous one whom had always gotten into trouble in his youth. But had grown much, the older he got. Similar to Mungojerrie. He was completely black, without a single mark on his sleek raven pelt. He allowed his sister to lean against his shoulder.
"Hush. It'll be ok Kaela." The tom murmured softly. Quaxo smiled sadly.
"Listen to Plato my dear. It is my time. And I shall always be with you." He murmured gently. She only pressed her face into her fathers ragged and faded black pelt.
Quaxo smiled sadly before turning his emerald green gaze to the last cat. The eldest. She was trying to remain stoic. But he could tell she was hurting. He blinked, taking in the image of her for what he was sure would be the last time. Tall, lanky, with wild ginger fur and icy blue eyes. A spitting image of his own father. Perhaps that's because she was his father's daughter. The result of Macavity's torture on Teazer that fateful night. But he'd loved her and accepted her as his own without question, and always raised her to be good, and to know she had a loving father whom would never hurt her. They'd never kept her heritage from her. But she knew that her parents loved her and her blood mattered, not. Quaxo smiled wryly and warmly.
"You can't fool me Spitfire." He purred teasingly. At the playful nickname, the she-cat broke down, and sank to his side, burying her face against his neck. "It's ok to cry Fireluciousa." He murmured, gently licking her ears in a rhythmic, comforting motion. She slumped against him and nodded against his side.
"I know father." She whispered. "I promise to take good care of the tribe when you're gone." Quaxo looked at her as she straightened and he smiled.
"I know you will. That's why I choose you to be the Protector of this tribe. And you will be a great leader. I believe in you. With my whole heart." He rasped to her with a smile. She returned his smile with a teary sniffle.
"I won't let you down." She vowed, straightening and thrusting out her chest proudly, a dutiful resolve in her icy blue gaze. He smiled proudly at his children.
"I love each of you dearly. I am so proud of the cats you've become. And I will always be with you." He promised, flicking his tail. Kaela whimpered again and looked at him.
"It won't be the same." She whispered shakily. Quaxo gazed at her fondly, a sadness in his eyes.
"Oh my little love. Everything comes to an end...A beautiful day, a good story, a gently slumber. Even a life. As it must be. But remember it is not what I take with me that is important. It is what I leave behind. I know you will protect this tribe and maintain the peace. All of you. Remember I won't even be gone. I'll live on in your hearts, in the breaths you take, the beat of your heart, the sound of your voice, the steps of your paws. In each of you. I have done much. I have lived a long and good life. And now it is time for me to go see your mother again. And for you to live yours. Remember. Have courage. The world was made just so you could live in it. So you could leave your mark. Life exists so you can live it. So do. Live your lives to your fullest. Be happy. Take care of each other. And your families. I love you all very much." He meowed softly, eyes shining with a long gained wisdom. The three leaned close and he embraced them for the last time before he gazed at Jerrie.
"Take care of my kits Jer." He rasped with a grin. Jerrie gave a chuckle, hiding his sadness in his humor.
"Puh-lease. They'll be taking care of my old, useless tail till I join you." He chuckled. He walked forwards and touched noses with his brother. "Goodbye Quax. Pounce Teaz for me, will ya?" He murmured, with a small grin. Quaxo nodded before he lay back in his nest, gazing at four cats who meant so much to him. He smiled at them, just relishing their closeness. He finally felt comfortable and relaxed, gazing at them with such love...though his vision started to waver, and go dark...It almost completely did but then returned.
He blinked, surprised to find not only all four cats, staring at him with tears in their eyes, but his father standing next to Fire. They really were nearly identical.
"Father." He meowed, tilting his head...and in another moment he notice Likia standing on the other side of Mac.
"Mother!" He purred, love briming in his heart. The two smiled at him, twining their tails. Another familiar shape appeared, golden, unscarred and as swag as ever.
"Tugger!"One by one cats whom had long gone, Deut, Jenny, Skimble, Alonzo, Ella, Cori, Victoria...All of them. Just appeared all around the small den. Even cats he'd never met, but had played such huge parts in his life. Like Kaelanaba. But what sent him leaping to his paws and bounding past his kits was when Teazer appeared, looking young again, and stunningly beautiful. He pressed his head against her, covering her face in loving licks.
"Oh Teazer." He whispered, voice shaking with joy and love. She gave one of her infamous giggles and smiled at him…
That's when he realized his body didn't feel heavy, and tired and sore anymore. He felt full of energy. He looked down and realized he looked young and fit again. And his heart felt heavy...Very slowly he turned his gaze back towards the others...He saw himself. Laying, still, eyes closed, pelt dull, and small looking in his nest. His family were hunched over his unmoving frame. He couldn't hear them but he could tell that Kaela was wailing, Plato was sniffling and Jerrie and Fire were silently staring at his body, tears running down their cheeks. After a moment, he saw Fire throw her head back, jaws parted in a heart wrenching wail that he couldn't hear. Then she slumped against his lifeless form and her body wracked with sobs. Quaxo frowned, pain stabbing through his heart. His ears drooped, but then he felt a gently tail on his shoulders and a soft voice murmured in his ear.
"They'll be ok. I promise." Teazer murmured, smiling sadly at him. For a moment the two regarded the small grieving family before they turned. Quaxo immediately felt happiness flow through his being. So many long unseen faces...He trotted among them, touching noses, or burying his face into the fur of his family and friends. He felt so happy and his paws were as light as air. The cats turned, moving from the pipe and out into the clearing. He followed and watched them bound into the darkening sky, vanishing in the light of the rising Jellicle moon.
Quaxo gave a soft sigh, and looked around the clearing. Only Teazer remained standing at his side. But another set of eyes in the shadows startled him. He peered closer and recognized Tantomile staring straight at him. The she-cat was old, and very frail. Her eyes were cloudy with near blindness, and her muzzle was grey. And yet...she stared at him with such clarity. Her voice entered his mind.
'I'll see you soon.'
Quaxo just nodded back with a gentle smile. She smiled in return before turning and limping into her den. Quaxo looked to Teazer and touched her nose gently with his, warmth in his eyes. They both moved to the shadows of the clearing and sat. As was customary.
After a long while his three children emerged from his den, carrying his body between them and gently laid him at the base of the tyre. Jerrie followed and sat close to the two younger cats. Firelu leapt on top of the Tyre and lifted her head, letting out a loud yowl to summon the tribe...Suddenly Quaxo realized he could hear them...All around him the yard came alive as cats emerged from their dens. Quaxo gazed at them. Grandkits, nieces, nephews, friends, family. All so young, with so much life left to live them. He could see Tumble now too. The old tom was rigid as he stared at Quaxo's body. The whole tribe was rigid as they approached. Gasps and sobs broke out around him and he sighed softly. Watching. There was shock, pain, anger, denial. Some who looked unsurprised...probably from hearing Fire's wail...There were fighters, protectors, magicians, mystics, healers, scribes, and caretakers. So different from the tribe he'd been raised in, but so very much the same in some ways. He realized life would carry on in his absence. Far beyond the lives of all these cats present here. The cycle would go on and on. And everything would be ok. He knew that with certainty...They were all ok. The tribe finished gathering and Firelu lifted her head again, maintaining her brave face.
"Cats of the Jellicle Tribe. It is with great sadness that I announce that Quaxo, our long time Jellicle Leader...and my father...has passed away. It was peaceful I assure you. He loved each and everyone of you dearly. He served his tribe for years upon years, longer than even the great Deuteronomy. He remained this tribes leader until he could not. Only death could pull him away from us. He always gave us his all. And he will always be with us. In our hearts and minds and prayers. Now however, I come to you, as the new Jellicle leader!" She stood proud and cats called out her name, and rose their voices in approval. Although the air was heavy with grief. Fire took a breath before continuing with a sigh.
"I say these words before the body of Quaxo Presto Mistoffelees, and the spirit of Everlasting, so that they may hear and approve my choice. Spotsticle will be the new Jellicle Protector!" She paused as cats cheered out Spots name. The young golden tom with white speckles through his pelt lifted his eyes, one amber, and one blue, in surprise. But he humbly dipped his head in acceptance, meeting his leaders encouraging blue gaze.
Quaxo smiled. The young tom was an excellent choice. He was young, but large, the grandson of Tugger, but he was smart, and a quick thinker. He liked to come up with new things and offer them to the tribe to help them in any way he could. He had much to offer and Quaxo very much approved of this choice. Everlasting seemed to think so too. For a bright beam of moonlight cast down on the tom. Though the living cats didn't seem to notice...Compelled by something he could not name, Quaxo moved forwards and touched his muzzle to the young tom's forehead. Spotsticle blinked a few times, looking around in confusion, but seemed to shake it off and turned his gaze back to Fire as she initiated him. Quaxo looked up at her, lost in pride for her. Her confident voice and movements, the obvious way she cared for the tribe an did her best for them, her strength; before moving back to sit next to Teazer, whom was silently observing. He tuned back in at that moment. But...Rather than continuing with her speech Firelu was shaking in place, staring at her father's body... Quaxo frowned with concern, watching her seem to get more and more emotional by the second...then she did something she'd always been too self conscious to do in front of others…Something that not even Quaxo or Teazer had, had the pleasure of hearing very often...
She began to sing…Quaxo gazed in awe, his ears perking forwards at the beautiful, clear notes that emanated from his daughter's lithe frame. Teazer seemed just as shocked and awed, pride glowing in her eyes. The rest of the tribe starred in utter awe, Jerrie in pride, and Plato and Kaela in a pleased sort of shock. Her voice was one of which matched the beauty and wonder of her fathers…
"You taught me the courage of stars before you left
How light carries on endlessly, even after death
With shortness of breath, you explained the infinite
How rare and beautiful it is to even exist
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes
I couldn't help but ask
For you to say it all again
I tried to write it down
But I could never find a pen
I'd give anything to hear
You say it one more time
That the universe was made
Just to be seen by my eyes…" She broke off, sadness clutching at her heart, and breathing quickly, vision blurred by her tears. Quaxo leapt onto the Tyre and touched his nose to her ear...and his own beautiful voice joined hers.
"With shortness of breath, I'll explain the infinite
How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist." She blinked, eyes widening in shock as she looked around...The tribe had heard him too. They stared around in confusion and awe at his distant, ghostly but mesmerizing voice. But none could see him, try as they might. He smiled, as the tribe began to hum in chorus of a new song that filled their hearts and heads, joy, and pain, and love in their voices. Quaxo smiled, gazing at them. Meanwhile Teazer had crossed the clearing and bound onto the tyre by his side. There was a soft beckoning light in her eyes as she met his gaze before she turned and touched her nose to Firelu's cheek. The Jellicle leader blinked, as she sang with her tribe, confusion momentarily in her eyes. Tezer smirked before turning away and bounding into the sky towards the moon. She vanished into the ever-brightening light of the full moon. Quaxo smiled, watching her go, before he once more touched his nose to his daughters ear.
"Until next time."
With that the young tux, cast his gaze over the harmonizing tribe once more. There was love beyond measure in his emerald eyes. He would always do anything for them..Even after death...He let out a soft breath and sprang into the sky...The feeling that overcame him, flowing through his being and soul was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. He saw stars whirling around him...Then bright moonlight, far too bright to look at. He closed his eyes and felt the sensation of fllying through open air. Was this what a bird felt like? Coldness stole over his body, then gradually faded away into an unusual and comforting warmth. Like the most loving embrace. And then his ears perked as he felt his body slow. He was suddenly hyper aware of everything...around him. Within him. And he heard that familiar and calming voice that seemed to resonate from everywhere and nowhere all at once, welcome him by his name…
Not Mistoffelees, or Misto, or Prince, or Presto. Not Tux, or father, or son, or magician, or even Quaxo. But by his true name. His third name.
Selfless.
Brit: Welp. So that was it. The very end of my huge, long going story. I've literally been working on this for years. It was something that I really wanted to do, and worked hard on. This story has been through three fanfiction accounts with me when I've deleted old ones. It was one story that i couldn't bring myself to give up. This is my idea of the true history, lives and relationships of the CATS. It goes beyond the musical and describes some pretty dark themes. But I feel like CATS is that one story that has that deep, dark hidden story. Anyways. I really wanna emphasize that if you guys are going through anything. I know words don't work like its nothing. But time does. You only have to let it. I do not endorse any of the dark behaviors or themes within this story, and I want to emphasize that these were never anthropomorphic cats, but just regular four pawed cats. Anyways. I wanna give a special thanks to my friend, How About That. For supporting me on this story for so, so long. And I wanna thank all you amazing fans and followers who've stuck with me and/or this story for so long. Even those who are newer. Thank you for reading this. I appreciate it to no end. I love sharing my stories, thoughts and ideas with everyone. ^^ So thank you. May the Everlasting Cat guide your paths endlessly. Goodbye.
Small disclaimer. Song is Saturn by Sleeping At Last.