Alonzo woke up as he heard commotion outside, along with a scream. He jumped out of his bed and into the hall where Munk was coming out of his room, since they had recently all gotten separate rooms.

Tugger came out of his room and asked, "What's going on?"

"We don't know," Munk said, and the three ran outside.

They emerged on the older toms fighting against one, large tom with a sinister stare.

"Macavity!" shouted Deuteronomy.

They all stopped and looked at him.

"What business do you have here?" he asked.

"Well, it just so happens that one of your little kittens attacked some of my henches the other day," said Macavity.

Alonzo's face fell. He looked at Munkustrap as he put a hand on his shoulder.

"That's impossible," Deuteronomy said. "Our kittens are never let out of the Junkyard without adult supervision and even if they were, it seems near impossible that they could take on two cats."

"Well, you must underestimate and overtrust your kittens." He looked around and spotted Alonzo. A masochistic smile crept onto his face. "Ah, there's the little kitty."

They all turned to Alonzo, who was being protectively kept out of reach by Munk and Tugger.

"The black and white kitten, he's the one who harmed my property."

Alonzo looked around at the Jellicles. Deuteronomy was still glaring at Macavity. The older toms looked beat, and Gus, the protector, was knocked out on the ground. Alonzo stood up tall, knowing what he had to do. "Cheap property at that," Alonzo said. "Too lazy to find any good hench cats, Mac?"

"Alonzo," gasped Munk.

"The toms are tired, Munk. Look at them. They'll need our help."

Macavity lunged at him, and instantly Munk attacked back with the help of Tugger and Alonzo, all fighting ferociously. When Macavity fell to his knees, he raised his hand and disappeared.

"Boys," said Deuteronomy. "Follow me."

Tugger, Munk, and Alonzo hung their heads as they followed Deuteronomy, the toms picking themselves and heading to Jenny's.

Once inside the den, the three sat down as Deuteronomy stood in front of them.

"Look, Dad," began Munk. "He only left the Junkyard because he remembered something from his past. He...he remembered something about his parents and he wanted to learn more but he couldn't. He came across two cats and they were going to take him away. It was self defense. Those two cats deserved what was coming to them and he didn't think Macavity would care so much about them. He did what he had to do."

Alonzo stared at his friend, listening intently. He's defending me, Alonzo thought. He smiled a little.

"It's my fault anyway," Munk continued. "I could've followed him, but it was raining and I was too selfish to go out after my friend." He looked down then, shame written on his face. "I'm sorry, Zo. I knew you were upset but I didn't follow you. I saw you go over the back fence and I knew you could've gotten hurt. I even worried about you and when an hour passed I finally decided to look for you, and when I found you...I was scared, and I felt horrible because I could've helped you."

He's blaming himself for this? Alonzo looked at the cat sitting next to him, amazed that someone could care so much about him and put themself on the line the way Munkustrap did.

Deuteronomy sighed, his disappointment vanishing as compassion overtook his mind. "Tugger, you may be dismissed," he said.

Tugger put a hand on Munk's shoulder and then exited.

"Alonzo, you put the tribe in danger for your acts. You took on Macavity when he was much more powerful than you. You cannot do things like this anymore."

Alonzo looked down, guilty.

"But, if you hadn't stood up to fight, Macavity might've gotten away with worse things, and for that, you are forgiven."

Alonzo looked up, shocked. He smiled. "You mean it?" he asked.

Deuteronomy smiled and nodded.

Alonzo stood up and hugged him, making Deuteronomy laugh.

"Now, you must leave me to talk with my son in private."

Alonzo nodded. He turned and looked at Munk, but he wasn't looking back. He turned and faced Deuteronomy again. "Sir, before I go, I just want to say how wonderful your son is. He took me in as his friend and now he's become my best friend. He has saved me from myself multiple times and he makes me feel like I belong in the world, and more importantly, the tribe. For every act that he feels guilty about, we should all be guilty for not being there to help him, because if he feels guilty about doing something wrong, we've done something worse. He always puts himself before others, and for that we shouldn't notice the small mistakes he makes, which are so completely rare. We should look at all the great things he does everyday and look at all the mistakes we make everyday."

Deuteronomy looked at Alonzo, and then to his son, whose face was of awe, and love. Deuteronomy smiled. "Alonzo, your compassion to my son and the defining friendship you make will be greatly remembered and admired. Your speech has lifted my soul and made me realize just what to do with my son."

Alonzo wasn't sure what that meant, but he nodded and turned to go. He smiled warmly at Munk, who was looking at his best friend the same.

Alonzo heard footsteps outside his room and immediately went out to see if it was Munkustrap. Thankfully it was, so he asked, "What did he say?"

Munk grabbed Alonzo by the wrist and pulled him into his room. "You can't tell anyone this, but you know how next week I'm gonna be a tom?"

Alonzo nodded vigorously.

"Well, my dad will also appoint me as the Jellicle Protector."

Alonzo grinned eagerly and hugged his best friend. "That's great! But, what about Gus?"

Munk shook his head. "Gus hasn't been feeling too good lately. He's forgetting things and Jenny says he's developing cerebal palsy, so he can't necessarily protect anyone anymore."

"But, what about Asparagus or Skimble? Couldn't they be the protectors?"

Munk shrugged. "I don't know. They're getting kind of old, too, and they've never been skilled fighters."

"Well...can I be your second in command?" Alonzo asked.

Munk smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way. Now come on, let's get some sleep."

"Okay, night." Alonzo started to Munk's door to leave but Munk grabbed him by the hand.

"Sleep in here tonight," he said.

Alonzo smiled as his heart soared. "Okay."

They curled up in Munk's bed, lying close, and let their dreams take them away.