A/N, Sasha, Luna, Troy, Silas, and Bethany are my cats. Please don't take them without asking me first. Whew, I thought I was never going to get down this chapter. More is coming, I promise.

The small kitten listened intently. When he heard the fading footsteps he breathed a sigh of relief. He settled down to catch his breath and thought over all the events that had just happened. His parents' deaths, Macavity's appearance, and the pollicles chase. At the thought of his parents, Alonzo bit back a sob. He missed his brother and sisters, sweet Bethany, playful Mistoffelees, and graceful Victoria. With the thought of his siblings, Alonzo couldn't hold the tears in anymore. He sobbed loudly as exhaustion took over his body.

Alonzo awoke to the sounds of human voices and a loud truck. He peeked out of the trash can to see the men coming towards him. He ducked down and hid beneath a discarded box. He felt the trashcan being lifted up.

"Yeow!" Alonzo yelled as he was dumped into the garbage truck.

"Did'cha hear something, Matt?" one of the men asked. "Sounded like a cat."

"We're in an alley. It could be anything." the man named Matt said with a shrug. Alonzo wished he had kept his mouth shut.

When the men left, Alonzo looked around. There was garbage and trash all around. There was a chair in one part of the truck. Suddenly the truck started moving and Alonzo was jerked forward. He grabbed the chair to keep from falling out. The truck sped along through the streets. Scenery flashed before Alonzo's eyes. When the truck stopped, Alonzo was once again jerked forward. But before he could recover, the men came around the truck.

"You see, Matt! I did hear a cat!" one of the men exclaimed. "Here kitty!" He reached for Alonzo. The kitten leapt off the truck and started running. He ran up a mountain of furniture and junk but slipped on the top. He tumbled down the junk and landed with an "Omf" on something soft. He shook his head and looked down into the biggest, greenest, prettiest eyes he had ever seen. The eyes blinked at him and started. Alonzo just sat there staring into those eyes until a voice jerked him awake.

"Tantomile! Are you okay? Who's this guy?"

"Oh, sorry, miss," Alonzo muttered. He scrambled up and helped the black, grey, and white kitten to her feet.

"That's alright," the kitten said with a smile. Alonzo's legs felt like jello. "What's your name?"

"A-a-alonzo," he stammered. "Wh-who are you?"

"I'm Tantomile," she said, shyly. Alonzo rolled the name around on his tongue.

"And I'm Coricopat," came the voice again. A mirror image of Tantomile in a tom's body stood beside her.
"He's my brother," she said, slightly rolling her eyes. Coricopat glared at his sister. She smiled sweetly at him.

Alonzo shook his head and asked," Where am I?"

"Tantomile, let's do our song!"

"I don't know," Tantomile blushed. She glanced up at Alonzo.

"Please?" he asked.

"Alright," she whispered.

"Yes!" Coricopat said, ethusiastically. "I love this song!" They took their postitions and began to sing.

"Welcome to the Jellicle Junkyard

Where everyone looks like they're covered with lard!

Where you won't find any mutts

And Cori and Tanto act nutts!"

They danced one last time and stopped. Alonzo laughed and soon they were rolling on the ground laughing.

Alonzo asked between laughs," How do you dance like that? You's move at the same exact time!"

The two twins sat up simultaneously. "It just happens," Coricopat said.

A grey and black tabby, just a little older than Alonzo, ran up. "Tantomile! Coricopat! What are you doing?" Seeing Alonzo, the tabby hissed.

"Please, Munkustrap," Coricopat rolled his eyes. "Stop acting like you're all that. This is Alonzo and we think he should join the tribe. Old Deuteronomy's coming so we'll ask him."

Munkustrap glared, "Fine." and stalked off.

Tantomile sighed and turned to Alonzo, "C'mon, Old Deuteronomy's coming in." An old tomcat came slowly in the junkyard. All the cats there greeted him. He stopped in front of Tantomile and Coricopat and said, "Who's your friend?" Tantomile blushed. Alonzo could tell she was shy, so he stepped forward.

"I'm Alonzo and I want to become a j-j-," he stumbled over the word.

"Jellicle?" Old Deuteronomy helped.

"Yeah, one of them."

Before Old Deuteronomy could answer, a small red and white kitten came running in screaming, "Pollicle! Pollicle!" Munkustrap immediately got into an attack postion. The sound of barking was getting louder and louder until a huge pitbull lept over a pile of furniture. Munkustrap jumped on his back. The dog threw him off. The tabby cat shook his head and slowly stood up. His face filled with pain, he crashed back down.

Alonzo knew what to do. His weeks of trainin were going to be put to the test. He pounced on the mutt's neck and sank his claws into it. THe dog roared in pain. He reached up to swipe at the kitten, but Alonzo was too small. The dog angrily hit himself again and again trying to rid himself of this menace. As Alonzo distracted the dog, Munkustrap was taken to safety.

Once Munkustrap was safe, two more toms attacked the pollicle. Together, the three cats chased the dog out of the junkyard. Tantomile ran up to Alonzo.

"Are you alright?" she voiced her concern.

"Yeah, I think so," Alonzo said, shakily. "Is Munkustrap okay?"

"Go see for yourself, kid," said one of the other toms. He was a black Maine Coon with leopard spots on his chest and paws. Alonzo could see he was growing a mane. The tom was about the age of Munkustrap. The black cat winked at Tantomile and she blushed.

"I'll take ye, lad," said an orange tabby with a Scottish brogue. Alonzo allowed himself to be led over to where Munkustrap lay.

"Thanks, Alonzo," the tabby smiled. "I don't think anyone else would have done that."

"Well, I was going to," the Maine Coon protested.

"Right, Tugger," Munkustrap rolled his eyes. Tugger glared. Alonzo felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Old Deuteronomy.

"You have done well. For saving a Jellicle you have become a Jellicle. Now come with me. I'll introduce you to everyone."

"We'll do it, Old Deuteronomy." The twins said together. They led him over to the orange tabby.

"I'm Skimbleshanks," he said.

"And I'm the Rum Tum Tugger," said the Maine Coon.

"Yeah, this is Tugger," Skimbleshanks said with a sigh.

"Why do you always say my name like I'm a spoiled brat!" Tugger threw his arms in the air. Skimble just stared at him as if to say "Duh! You are a spoiled brat!"

Tantomile and Coricopat dragged Alonzo to the middle of the junkyard where some cats stood in a circle. The twins led Alonzo into the circle and started introducing him to everyone. Asparagus, an adult tom, and his pregnant mate Jellylorum, Skimbleshanks's mate, Jennyanydots who was also pregnant, the little kitten named Plato, who had screamed "Pollicle!", the two sisters Bombalurina and Demeter, and two Cockney calicos named Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer.

"How old are you, dear?" Jennyanydots asked.

"Mama said I'd be one month tomorrow," Alonzo said with a sniff, "But now she's dead." Alonzo curled up and cried.

"Oh, you poor thing!" Jellylorum said, picking Alonzo up. "You must be exhausted."

Jennyanydots turned to Coricopat and Tantomile. "Why don't you two find our new friend some food, okay?"

"Poor Alonzo!" Tantomile said sadly as she and her brother went to find something to eat. "He's an orphan just like us."

Alonzo stretched and stepped out of the old oven. He was getting too big for it. He was almost a full-grown tom now. He had been living with the Jellicles for almost a year. He was still practicing his fighting and now was the best fighter in the Junkyard. Skimbleshanks had taught him some new tricks to use. Tugger had laughed at this and called the fighting methods "ancient". Alonzo smiled when he thought of the other day when he saw Tugger practicing the "old" methods behind the oven.

"What'cha smiling at, Alonzo?" a small voice asked. Alonzo looked down at three big pairs of eyes.

"Oh, hi, girls," Alonzo answered. "I was just thinking about Tugger, that's all."

"Tugger!" the three kittens squealed, jumping on Alonzo. "Where is he? Where is he?"

"Girls! Girls!" Alonzo yelled in a strained voice. "I didn't say I saw Tugger. Now get off my head, Jemima! And Etcetera, stop jumping on my stomach!" He reached up and pulled the red, white, and black kitten off his head. He then reached down and knocked the black, white, and yellow kitten off his stomach. He looked down at the black and brown kitten holding on to his leg and raised an eyebrow. She grinned and dropped his leg. "Thank you, Electra," he said. "Now please go bother someone else."

"I'm sorry," Jemima said, giving Alonzo her famous Jemima eyes.

"Aww! It's okay," Alonzo said, gently. He clucked Jemima under her chin. "You girls are too cute to hate."

Jemima giggled and ran off with her sisters. When she turned to look back one last time, Alonzo winked at her. She smiled and ran to catch up to the other kittens.

Alonzo sat smiling for awhile, his thoughts on his siblings. Jemima was so much like his sweet sister, Bethany.

"You miss them, don't you?" Tantomile asked. Alonzo jumped slightly. He was used to the twins slinking up silently, but he was still adjusting to their psychic powers.

"Yeah," he sighed. "Even Mistoffelees." Tantomile rubbed up against him and laid her head on his shoulder. Alonzo purred and nuzzled her back. They sat like that for a few precious minutes.

"Oh!" Tantomile exclaimed, jerking up. "Coricopat told me to ask you to go hunting with him. He's probably worried sick." She glanced up at Alonzo. Alonzo was gazing at her beautiful eyes. He bent down and kissed Tantomile on the lips, softly. Tantomile closed her eyes, savoring the moment. Suddenly, she jerked away. She looked away and murmured, "Um, I have to go. You know, Jellylorum asked me to... I mean you shouldn't keep Coricopat waiting." Alonzo nodded and started toward the junkyard entrance. Tantomile turned. She needed to talk to Jennyanydots.

Alonzo's thoughts were a mess when he reached Coricopat. "Why did she run? Did I scare her? I think I scared myself. I've got to talk to Skimbleshanks."

"Um, Alonzo? Hello?"

"Huh, oh, sorry. I was just thinking." Coricopat rolled his eyes.

"Well, let's go then!" The two cats ran off chatting like old friends.

Alonzo had cornered a bird and was about to pounce when he heard a scream followed by loud barking. He left his breakfast and raced off towards the sounds. He turned into an alley and saw a Doberman. The pollicle had cornered two Burmese kittens. The older looking one was trying to cover the younger one, but the younger Burmese was hysterical. Alonzo had to act quickly. He slowly crept up behind the Doberman. Suddenly, without warning, he lept up on the dog's back. Coricopat hid the kittens before jumping on the pollicle too.

The Doberman finally gave up. Two, scrawny kittens weren't worth getting beat up by angry tomcats. Breathing hard, Alonzo and Coricopat grinned at each other. Alonzo turned towards the kittens. "Are you's alright?"

"Now we are. Thank you, sirs," the oldest kitten said with a sigh. She glanced warily at her sobbing sister. "Cassie, we need to go now. The pollicle's gone."

"Uh, miss?" Alonzo started, "You girls can come with us."

"Thank you again, Mr..."

"Alonzo and this is Coricopat."

"Right, well, thank you both. I'm Exotica and this is my sister, Cassandra." She started to pick up her sister.

"Oh, no! I'll carry her." Alonzo stepped in. He placed the terrified kitten on his back and started towards the junkyard.

Tantomile came over from her talk with Jennyanydots to the crowd in the middle of the junkyard. As she got closer, she heard Alonzo's voice. Her brother slunk out of the crowd and moved towards her.

"What's happening?" Tantomile asked Coricopat.

"Alonzo and I found two lost queens. Their names are Cassandra and Exotica." Coricopat answered.

"I want to see them. Are they okay?" Tantomile asked. Coricopat nodded and they silently headed back to the kittens. Tantomile held back a gasp when she saw Alonzo's scratches. The smallest kitten was hiding between his forelegs. The older one stood up and said, "My name is Exotica and my little sister is Cassandra. Alonzo and Coricopat rescued us from a pollicle. We are forever in their debts and we wish to remain here until we find our uncle and aunt."

"Who is your uncle and aunt?" Skimbleshanks asked.

"Luna and Troy, " she replied. A loud murmur went throught the crowd and everyone turned to look at Coricopat and Tantomile.

The twins stepped forward together and said, "Luna and Troy were our mother and father, but now are dead."

Exotica's shoulders slumped and Cassandra cried again.

"You will stay here of course," Alonzo said, trying to quiet Cassandra down. Exotica glanced at Tantomile and Coricopat. They nodded and at this Exotica smiled.

"Thanks, I don't know what we'd do without you."

Alonzo introduced everyone to Exotica and Cassandra. Cassandra seemed to like Jennyanydots' kittens, Jemima, Electra, and Etcetera, but stuck close to Alonzo. Both Exotica and Cassandra were shy around the tom kittens, Admetus, Plato, Pouncival, and Tumblebrutus. When Rum Tum Tugger winked at the two of them, Cassandra blushed, but Exotica just rolled her eyes. Both Cassandra and Exotica liked Skimbleshanks. Cassandra loved Bombalurina and gazed at admiration at the tall, beautiful queen. Bombalurina immediately took the little queen under her wing.

Jellylorum and Jennyanydots asked Exotica questions about her family. They found out that Exotica and Cassandra were the daughters of Ghenghis and Sasha. Ghenghis was an old Egyptian actor who had played in Growltiger's Last Stand. Sasha had been Luna's sister. They also found out that Exotica was going to become an adult around the same time as Alonzo. Cassandra thought was still a kitten. She was a little younger than Exotica and would become an adult next year. When asked if she could dance, Exotica became excited. "Well, I can't," she said, "but Cassie's the best dancer I've seen!" Bombalurina snorted at that.

"Dance for us, Cassie!" Exotica urged.

Cassandra shrank down and whispered, "No."

"I'll dance with you, Cassie," Alonzo said, for he was eager to see this kitten dance. Cassandra agreed to this and soon she and Alonzo were dancing together in the center of the junkyard. Alonzo couldn't help but compare Cassandra to Victoria. Victoria danced elegantly and smoothly. Whereas Cassandra danced more Egyptian like. She did cartwheels and moved her body in slinky, snakelike movements. Thinking of Victoria, Alonzo felt weary. He motioned to Bombalurina and the kittens to come dance with Cassandra. The boys all gladly jumped in.

Tantomile saw Alonzo start walking away and headed towards him. But as she neared him, Cassandra flew over to him and buried herself in his chest. Alonzo looked down startled , then turned around and glared. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus stared wide-eyed and pointed at each other. Admetus shakily cried, "I didn't mean to make her cry! I only said, 'Hi!' " The poor kitten was almost in tears.

Alonzo sighed and looked down at Cassandra. "Cassandra, it's alright. That's only Admetus. He won't hurt you." The kitten only whimpered. Exotica walked over and tried to soothe the trembling kitten.

She looked up at Alonzo, "I think you may remind her of our father. Cassie was close to him."

"She'll stay with me, I guess," Alonzo said.

Over the next few weeks, Alonzo and Cassandra were inseperable. He was like the big brother she never had and she reminded him of Victoria. If Cassandra had a problem, she went to Alonzo.

The Jellice Ball had come and Alonzo, Exotica, Tantomile, Coricopat, Mungojerrie, and Demeter all became adults. Tantomile had tried numerous times to talk to Alonzo, but every time she tried, Cassandra would run up with a problem. Tantomile began to think that Alonzo didn't care for her anymore. She felt replaced with Burmese kitten.

The day after the ball, Alonzo sat washing himself when a commotion arose near the tire. Everyone was gathered around Skimbleshanks. Alonzo peeked over the kittens' heads and saw a white kitten wearing a blue collar. "Victoria!" he gasped.