Part 8

To say that Alonzo was mad was an understatement, he was completely furious, even when they reached their yard and found Admetus and Exotica playing with the kittens. The four of them smiled when they saw their friends but Alonzo just stalked past them and disappeared into a car.

"What's wrong", Exotica asked Coricopat when he sat down beside her and Tantomile snuggled up to Admetus and buried her face in his shoulder sobbing softly. She was still upset by the death of their father.

"Tugger", Coricopat said darkly.

"What did that bonehead do know", Admetus asked as he ran his paw in circles over Tantomile's back to sooth her.

"He attacked Zo and said it was his fault Safir was killed."

"How", Exotica asked and looked towards the car where her mate had disappeared.

"He said that it was Zo's fault because he saved MQ and said that if he hadn't Safir would be alive now."

"I-I'm sorry", Misto stuttered out and bowed his head.

"No, no sweetheart", Exotica said and pulled him into a soft hug. "It's not your fault."

"But if Zo hadn't saved us that day you would still be Jellicles and Safir wouldn't have been out here looking for us."

"Was that what he was doing here", Admetus asked.

"I guess so."

"Munkustrap wants to find where we are", Coricopat grumbled. "So why wouldn't he send out the strongest tom to find us?"

"Yeah…" Admetus mumbled. "But that can't be all that got Zo into this bad mood."

"No", Tantomile said and looked up at him. "Tugger called Zo a coward because he was leaving with us and Tugger also said that all strays runs from their faults."

"Zo who was already mad lost the little patience he had left", Coricopat told them. "He jumped at Tugger, pressed him up to that old oven with his paw and then… he struck his other paw into the metal."

"And Zo also told the Jellicles they'd lost an ally now. He told them we won't help them if they come asking for it nor will we tolerate any of them to enter our territory. They will be kicked out… harmed."

"Everlasting Cat", Exotica said and rose. "They really got him worked up."

"You think", Admetus said. She tilted her head before going to the car.

"Zo", she asked.

"What", he grumbled.

"Can I come in?"

"If I said no would you even care?"

"Nope", she said and jumped inside and found him lying in the backseat. His eyes were dark with fury and his body was tense. She lied down beside him and purred. "I'm sorry."

"They told you then."

"Of course." Alonzo sighed and some of his fury melted away when Exotica purred. She licked his cheek and grinned. "Come on what's bothering you?"

"That some of what Tugger said was true."

"You can't believe him Zo you just can't!"

"I'm not Exy it's just that…" He sighed. "If we hadn't left the yard Safir wouldn't have been out there…"

"That's not all."

He chuckled. "You know me so well."

"Oh please after growing up with the lot of you I know what everyone thinks. Besides" she nuzzled his neck. "The tom I love is like an open book to me."

"Yeah Ori is easy to read OUCH!" She'd smacked him up the head.

"Shut up you lousy stray", she grinned. "You know I don't mean Ori."

"So you're denying that you love him… Aw poor Ori this will break his heart."

"Shut up and stop trying to change the subject!"

"I'm not… I'm just trying to get back into a good mood."

"Then this might help…" She kissed him and he kissed back.

"Oh yeah", he grinned. "It helped."

"As always. Now what's more bothering you?"

Alonzo sighed. "That I didn't notice Macavity behind me and had I just been a little faster to react when Safir jumped I might have been able to stop him."

"You know what he was like Zo. Nothing you would have said would've stopped him. He never took orders… You know how many times Edan got frustrated with him."

"Oh yes", Alonzo chuckled and remembered one of the many times the protector had chased Safir around trying to make him follow his orders. "I feel sorry for him."

"How so?"

"Edan may still be in Heaviside and now Safir joined him…"

"Oh poor souls", Exotica said and they laughed.

They were silent for a little while and just cuddled then Exotica sighed.

"What is it Exy?"

"Are we really going to harm them?"

"Who?"

"The Jellicles, if they come to our territory?"

"Only their pride… But I won't stop from kicking Tugger's butt into next millennia."

"I'll only allow that…" She trailed off looking smug.

"What?"

"I'll only allow you to do that Zo… If I'm there to see it and if I'm allowed to tease him first."

"Tease him?"

"Show off what that playboy can't get." She flicked her tail under his nose and caressed his cheek with it.

Alonzo grinned, purred and they rubbed noses. "I love it when you're devious."

"Speaking of which…" she rose. "Ori need some female attention."

"Zo, Ad help", Coricopat yelled not long after as he hid behind his laughing friends. "Get them away from me!"

"Aw but Ori", Tantomile grinned. "We just want to cuddle."

"Go and cuddle a snake", he spat.

"It wouldn't make any difference", Exotica grinned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think they mean you're as cold as a snake Ori", Admetus grinned.

"I am not!"

"Then why don't you come cuddle with us", Exotica grinned and Coricopat hid behind the other two toms again. But his tail hung out from behind them and over the edge of the car trunk. Tantomile tripped over and grabbed it.

"Come now Ori", she said and pulled him down. But Coricopat grabbed hold onto Admetus and the grey tom got pulled down with him.

"Hey keep me out", Admetus said as he rose. Poor Coricopat was jumped by the queens and they nuzzled him and scratched him behind the ears.

"What is he doing", Alonzo asked and they followed his gaze. They saw Misto creep alongside a car.

"Hey Mio", Admetus yelled and the kitten jumped.

"Yes Ad", he called back.

"What are you doing?"

"Hunting for a mouse! I saw him slip underneath this car!"

"Somehow I doubt that", Alonzo mumbled and noticed Coricopat try to slip away from his sister and Exotica. "Girls…"

"Yes", they looked at him and he nodded towards Coricopat.

"Coricopat", Tantomile yelled and he jumped and ran. "Come back here!"

As the three of them disappeared Alonzo looked up and saw Quaxo laugh from an old truck. He was holding his stomach and tears were running down his cheeks.

"It was my fault Safir died", Alonzo thought. "At least partly, but I would never try to change what I got now and I know Safir wouldn't have wanted me to if I could."

"Ouch", Admetus yelped and jumped.

"Sorry", Mio called and ran over. "It escaped me!"

Alonzo looked down and saw a cork spin around on the ground.

"Mio I hate to tell you this", he grinned. "But that's a cork… not a mouse."

"The mouse got away so I was trying a new trick."

"Oh?"

"Watch", Misto said and looked at the cork and it floated into the air and started spinning. It was moving so fast it didn't look like a cork at all but a ring spinning.

"Stop that", Admetus said. "You're making me dizzy."

Misto bit his lip in concentration and the cork sailed through the air.

"Yikes", Quaxo yelped and ducked when it sailed towards him and it left a big dent in the metal behind him. "Mio!"

"Just wait…" Misto grumbled and then sent the cork over the ground. In its wake it left only clouds of dust before it took up into the air and exploded and flowers sailed down and landed on Admetus.

"Very nice", Alonzo grinned. "But you got to practice on that control."

"I know…"

"Hey", Admetus exclaimed and ran out into the clearing. "Here's the fork I lost last week!" Admetus had found it in a trashcan and was using it to scratch his back when he couldn't reach. Alonzo saw a mask of innocence fly onto Misto's face.

"Isn't it typical", Admetus went on. "When you've lost something and look everywhere for it you never check under your nose first."

Alonzo just rolled his eyes.

The Jellicle junkyard was quiet as they buried Safir. Hugo stayed behind when the rest left and Munkustrap guessed that Hugo would nominate himself to the Jellicle choice and if he knew his father right he would choose him to go to Heaviside. Munk looked around and saw Hugo's twins slip out in the dark to go thieving again. He shook his head and then he heard crying. He hurried towards the sound and found Demeter crying.

"Dem", he asked and sat down. "What's wrong?"

"W-when I finally gets the chance to visit my brother", Demeter cried. "Your i-idiotic brother destroys it. You can't blame Lonz for Safir's death. It wasn't his fault!"

"I know Demi", he pulled her into a hug. "But… maybe it's for the best… those magical cats are dangerous."

"They helped saving me Munk", she yelled at him. "The strongest of them turned Alonzo into Admetus and Admetus into Alonzo so they could trick Macavity. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be here. Alonzo trust them with his heart."

"His heart has always been too big."

"Munk! I'm serious. Alonzo and you were best friends-"

"That changed when he protected those thi-"

"They are not things", she yelled and pushed him away. "They are kittens just like Jemima or Tumblebrutus! Just like we were once!"

"Dem my father told us that all magical cats are evil."

"Maybe some goodhearted cat got to them in time! Maybe it's thoughts like yours that makes them evil. You can sleep with your idiotic brother tonight", she rose. "Because you are not welcome into the den." And with that she stalked off angrily.

"Why can't I keep my mouth shut", Munkustrap asked the moon.

A few days later Asparagus was creeping from shadow to shadow trying to get into the Strays homeyard. He'd knew that Coricopat would sense him but he figured that if he waited until the Siamese left he'd be able to sneak in. And his patience was justified when not only Coricopat but Admetus and the two kittens left with him. That would make it a bit easier to talk to Alonzo… Hopefully the Stray leader and the two queens wouldn't kill him when they saw him.

"Here goes nothing", he mumbled and hurried into the yard. He didn't see anyone or heard anything. He walked into the center when he heard a soft thud then a few more.

"What's this", a cold voice said and he looked up into the eyes of Exotica. "A Jellicle trying to creep up on us."

"What do you figure we should do with him dear Stray leader", Tantomile said. Alonzo jumped down and walked towards Asparagus.

"I figure we carry out what we agreed on don't you think?"

Asparagus gulped when he saw the others grin, he was shocked to see the four cats he'd seen leave the yard stand on the surrounding cars as well.

"Alonzo please", he begged as the black and white tom started to walk around him in circles.

"Please", Alonzo asked and grinned.

"Come on Lonz I just want to talk!"

"Are you going to do it Zo or do I have to step in", Admetus asked bored.

Alonzo looked at him and then flew at Asparagus. The Jellicle yelped in surprise when he found himself in a bear hug.

"Did you really thought I'd hurt you Asp", Alonzo grinned and let go.

"Y-yeah", Asparagus stuttered out still a bit shook up. "After seeing that crazy fire in your eyes the other day…. Well you know."

"Aw he was just ticked off", Tantomile said and jumped down.

"H-how did you four get here? How did you know I was here?"

"Tantomile saw you coming", Admetus grinned and nuzzled her head fondly and she winked at Asparagus.

"Of course", Asparagus grumbled. "How could I forget Tanta's ability to see the future?"

"Because you're thick", Exotica teased.

"Hey I resent that! I'm the only Jellicle who dare to come here!"

"And your point is?"

He opened his mouth to respond but shut it again.

"Thought so. Aspie, Aspie, Aspie since none of you Jellicles knew how we would react if you came here it can be interpreted as dumbness of you coming here."

"I-I… I just wanted to see if… we've really lost you as allies."

"Let's see", Alonzo said and jumped onto a car the others joining him and they all looked down at Asparagus on the ground. "Tugger blames me and my kittens for Safir's death." His tribe hissed. "He accuses us for being cowards and running from our faults." The tribe hissed again and they did it in perfect sync too. "He attacked me." Hisses and swipes with claws. "And he practically loathes us and calls us dirty strays." The tribe hissed very loudly this time. "But the worst thing must have been his words the day we left."

"You mean that no one wants a dirty stray not even your mothers?" Asparagus asked and the entire tribe hissed at him in hate. "I was just telling what he said!"

"So", Alonzo asked and looked at his tribe members. "Would you be allies when your allies look upon you as nothing but filth and accuses you for things you can't control?"

Asparagus hung his head. "No… No I wouldn't."

"Then good thing we aren't you", Admetus said and the Strays grinned.

"What?"

"I start to think Exotica was right", Tantomile said and the kittens snickered.

Asparagus stared at them and then a wide grin came to his face.

"Really", he asked grinning. "You mean it?"

"What that you're thick", Alonzo asked and grinned. "Yeah I think we do."

Asparagus ignored him and jumped at him and hugged him and then the others.

"I've never seen anyone become so glad when he's told he's thick", Admetus said.

"You know what I mean", Asparagus grinned and pushed him off the car.

"Oi! Now that's plain rude!"

They all laughed.

"You know Asp", Alonzo grinned. "This will stay between the eight of us for now. I want Tugger to crawl in the dirt if you need our help."

"Oh that would be a sight", Exotica grinned.

When Asparagus returned to the yard he was in a much better mood but it left him when he saw the downcast faces of Hugo and Mungojerrie.

"What's wrong", he asked Munkustrap.

"Macavity", the protector answered.

"What has he done now?"

"'e's koidnapp' ma Teazah", Hugo said and hugged his son. "We don' know wot 'e's gonna do to 'er."

"Damn."

The Jellicles looked at each other in distress. With Safir gone the only toms that would be any good in a fight was Munkustrap and Asparagus. Tugger was mostly useless in fights and Hugo would easily lose control over his feelings and wouldn't think rationally, Gus was too old now and Skimble was away with the train. Plato and Mungojerrie were still too young.

"We need more toms", Munkustrap grumbled. "And we need them quick."

"You still got us Munk", Bombalurina said.

"I know but we need you queens to protect the yard should Macavity come here."

They were quiet and Asparagus debated on if he should suggest the Strays or not.

"Wot we need is tha Strays", came the voice of Mungojerrie.

"What", Tugger yelled. "Have you lost your mind?"

"No Tuggah Oi haven'. They got three toms and two magic cats an' their queens can foight loike any othah tom."

"He's right", Jelly said. "We need the Strays."

"Have you forgotten that they aren't our ally anymore", Tugger said.

"And whose fault is that", Asparagus snapped.

"Shut up vegetable."

Asparagus was about to jump at him but Munkustrap caught his arm.

"We can't run to them", he said. "Not while Alonzo is still this mad."

"How do you know he's still mad", Demeter asked. Munkustrap was now allowed in their den again after apologizing the day after their fight.

"If I remember him correctly he could stay worked up for days."

Asparagus grinned. That's what he'd thought too.

"Then what will we do", Cassandra asked.

"Oh for the love of", Alonzo grumbled as Quaxo told him what they'd seen in the mirror. "They're too damn stubborn."

"Couldn't agree with you more", Admetus grinned.

"So", Exotica asked.

"Mistofelees", Alonzo said and his kitten looked up at him.

"Yeah Alonzo" he grinned. "What can I do for you?"

"Do you remember when you pulled those kittens out of a hat?"

Everyone laughed. A queen and her seven kittens had walked by and they'd been allowed to play around the yard and disappeared. Without the mother knowing it Misto had pulled them out of an old hat he'd found in one of the car trunks.

"Yes", he said.

"Do you think you could do that again? But this time with Teazer?"

"Maybe but-"

"Good then you'll come with me. The rest of you lot…" A grin spread across his face.

"Oh no", they all said.

"Hey this is nothing bad", he said and laughed. "I was just going to say that you lot will accompany us. Colossus and one of his pollicle friends asked me if they could hang around here tonight. So if ugly Maccy comes here they'll handle him."

"You want to surprise them with our changes don't you", Admetus grinned.

"Oh yeah. Seeing how Cassie-girl stared at Ori and Mil when she saw them… like the others did too… I think it would be hilarious to see their faces."

"I don't", Exotica said. "If I go there I'll fly at Tugger."

"We too", the twins spoke.

"You'll get there much faster just the two of you", Quaxo pointed out.

"Okay, okay", Alonzo grinned. "Always destroy my fun."

Asparagus was watching their protector pace back and forth. He had his back to the gate and was sitting on top of a trashcan. Everyone was looking at Munkustrap.

"How about ask another tribe", Jelly asked.

"We can't-" Munk began but was cut off by Jelly.

"That is not the Strays."

"Oh and here we came to lend a helping paw", Asparagus heard someone whisper in his ear and in the next second a paw cowered his mouth and he was pulled into the darkness. He struggled to get loose and when he did he saw Misto and Alonzo.

"Misto? Lonz? What are you doing here", he asked.

"We know Teazer's been kidnapped", Alonzo said darkly.

"How", Asparagus saw their grins. "Wait I don't think I want to know."

"Aw it's as if he doesn't trust us or something", Alonzo told Misto who smiled shyly.

"Hey", they heard Plato say. "Where did Asparagus go?"

"Asp", Munkustrap called.

"Asparagus", Jelly called worried for her grown son's wellbeing.

"Asp", came some more cries.

Alonzo looked at him and grinned. "Someone's popular."

"Oh do shut up Stray."

"Whatever you say Jellicle."

"Asparagus", Munkustrap called.

"I'm here", Asparagus looked up from behind the trashcan and the tribe heaved a sigh of relief.

"What were you doing?" Munkustrap asked.

"I thought I heard some noise and went to check it out."

"And what did you find?"

"Eh…" he looked at Alonzo who rolled his eyes. "Help?"

"What?"

"Geez Asp", Alonzo spoke loud enough for the others to hear him. "Don't sound so uncertain."

"Alonzo", Bombalurina exclaimed and the white and black tom appeared beside Asparagus. He grinned.

"Hello", he said and threw a look at Misto who was walking around an old barrel.

"What the hell are you doing here", Tugger growled.

"We got a delivery to make… again." Alonzo said tiredly and saw Misto help a very confused Rumpleteazer out of the barrel.

"What", Hugo got worried.

"No, no don't fret", Alonzo held up his paws. "Hey Mio bring her over."

Misto came out shyly holding Rumpleteazer's paw as she looked around in amazement.

"Teazah", her father and brother yelled and the three of them ran to each other.

"Good job Mio", Alonzo grinned and gave him a pat on the back. "Well if that's all… see ya Jellicles." They turned to walk away.

"'old it", Hugo yelled and they froze. "Thank you."

Alonzo turned around and smiled softly. Misto was red in his face and mumbled something.

"Mio says", Alonzo grinned. "'It was nothing.'"

"There mus' be a way we can thank y'all", Hugo continued.

"Now, now why would you do that", Alonzo asked darkly. "We are protecting the evil magical cats after all."

"Yeah bu' tha' is no excuse for-"

"Save it Hugo", Alonzo grumbled. "We don't want to hear it."

Misto was confused on why Alonzo was so mad but then he saw how Tugger, Victoria and Cassandra were glaring at him in disgust.

"Alonzo", Jenny told her adoptive son.

"Mother… If I'm still allowed to call you that", Alonzo said. "We better leave now before we get insulted… again."

"No one would insult you", Munkustrap said.

"Yeah you better run you cowardly Strays", Tugger snapped.

Alonzo looked at Munkustrap. "You were saying?"

"What are you doing here anyway", Victoria said. "I bet it was you who kidnapped Teazer all along."

"Why you little", Alonzo began but Misto put a paw on his back.

"Zo", he mumbled. "Let's just go."

"Yeah", Cassandra called. "You Strays always put your noses where they shouldn't be! Go wrestle a pollicle or something! Being as dirty as you are you belong with them! Especially those kittens!"

"Okay", Alonzo said and walked forward. "That. Is. It!"

"Alonzo", Munkustrap said and walked in front of Tugger and the other two. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Stupid… Stupid! STUPID! Okay now I've really had it! We were prepared to become your ally again after I calmed down. But no, no, no you really don't want any friends do ya Munkustrap? We are sick and tired of being looked down upon! That's the reason we left and I can see that nothing's changed! If I ever hear one of your fucking remarks ever again I swear that we will come here… all of us and really show what the Strays are capable of! We will start a war!"

"Zo no", Misto yelled in horror.

"Mio they-"

"Are just stupid and cruel!"

"That's why I want to beat the crap out of them or insult them..."

"Come on Zo if you do that we'll be just like them."

"A fate worse than death", Alonzo said and looked back at Munkustrap. "And we're the evil ones?"

With that they left.

"Everlasting cat", Deuteronomy mumbled from his place as Jenny and Jelly told him about the situation. "Now there is a rift that shouldn't be there."

"We know… but how can we fix it?" Jelly asked.

"I don't know. It seems that Alonzo and his tribe still has some contact with our tribe."

"But ", Jenny said. "How?"

"Asparagus", Jelly exclaimed. "He was missing today and seemed very happy when he got back. Not to mention that he heard Alonzo and… what's the kitten's name?"

"Mio", Jenny said. "At least I think so."

"Alonzo snuck up on us and left Plato remember. No one heard him. Not even Edan or Safir heard him and they heard anything."

"Then how did Asparagus… oh…"

"He knew they were there", Deuteronomy said and chuckled. "Or they snuck up on him and told him they were. It seems that at least one Jellicle has created a bridge over the big crack in the tribe."

"A very fragile one", Jenny pointed out.

"Yes and my son and the two queens didn't make it any more stable."

"What are we going to do sir?"

"I don't know as I told you before. But I think that Alonzo and his tribe will give us the answer sooner or later."

TBC