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"A Wonderful Magician"

"You mean, there's a Macavity here, too?" Quaxo asked Mistoffelees.

"Yeah," Misto said, looking down at his feet. "Victoria's still out there."

Quaxo didn't hesitate. "Come on." The two of them came out from behind the tombstone. Quaxo took a risk and climbed up to the top of the gates, watching from a distance, while Misto looked from between the bars.

Victoria stood alone in the street, looking confused. Macavity was nowhere to be seen, but a deep voice, the same one who had said 'What?' earlier, said mysteriously, "Going to the ball?"

Victoria whirled around.

"Wouldn't if I were you. Could get dangerous," the voice continued and at last he appeared. He didn't look like the fiery, monster-cat like self he was back where Quaxo came from. He was dressed more like a detective- with a tattered coat and hat. His voice wasn't as terrifying; more experienced and quiet- maybe even relaxing.

Quaxo watched closely. He seemed to be wanting to have a conversation with Victoria.

"You know they say, Macavity will win this year," he said to Victoria.

What? Win what? Quaxo wondered.

"Macavity?" Victoria repeated. Pretty voice- kind of like a music box. Macavity's theme started to play in the background.

"There's no one like Macavity," said Macavity. "A wonderful magician."

Victoria looked puzzled but interested, too.

"A monster of depravity," Macavity sang and it gave what humans would call 'goosebumps' down Quaxo's spine. He hissed PSSSST to Misto and gave him an alarmed look and signaled to do something.

Misto hesitated but cried out, "Come on!"

Victoria turned towards him when Macavity whispered, "Magic." He disappeared. Gone. Victoria looked around uncomfortably as Macavity's laughter echoed through the air. Misto ran out of the gates, grabbed Victoria's paw and the two of them ran back, but as soon as Misto ran in Cassandra and Demeter of this world blocked Victoria from going in.

"So," Cassandra said. "What's your name?"

Victoria didn't answer. She tried to go in another way but the two queens were fast. They blocked her again. Misto walked over to help but they hissed, telling him to go away.

"Oh no," Misto said to Quaxo as he ran back. "She won't be able to get in."

"Cat got your tongue?" Demeter asked Victoria. Quaxo tried not to laugh at the joke.

Victoria sighed. "Victoria." Aha, I knew it.

"Victoria," Cassandra repeated with a smile. Victoria tried to get in another way again but, as you expected, they blocked her. "You must have another."

Victoria frowned. "Another?"

Just then, Munkustrap 2019 walked up behind the two queens and silently told them to leave Victoria alone, and they did. "The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter. It isn't just one of your holiday games."

He walked out of the gates for a moment to show Victoria she could get in. He walked in again, leading Victoria further into the cemetery.

"Come on," Quaxo whispered to Misto. "We've got to prepare."

"What?" Misto asked, but Quaxo was already scampering away, hidden out of sight. Misto followed. "Prepare for what?"

"Alright, so," Quaxo said as soon as they couldn't be seen, "back home last year, right after the Naming of Cats, Victoria danced alone. All by herself, in the middle of the junkyard, and I was the only one watching. After she slowed down I came in sort of... jazzed things up, if you call it, made things more festive. I lit up the entire place.