Nexxon | Subordinate Male

    From an early age, Nexxon was a fiery little thing. He and his older half brother Teryx were very close- inseparable, even. And Teryx was the reason Nexxon got away with most of his big talk when it came to confrontations by mobs and so forth. But their closeness was only thanks to Teryx's hateful father.
    For years, Xavier and his mate ruled over a large mob with an even larger territory. He was prideful and expected the most out of all his mob. That was, until he finally lost in a battle against a pesky rover. To his amazement, none of his mob was sad to see him go, as he was pushier and more aggressive than ever before. This deeply angered Xavier, and he swore revenge on the rover that took his place.
     His ex-mate finally had her new litter, yet he hadn't found out just yet. Xavier never strayed far from his old territory, and often found himself watching his mob. Each time he saw the rover, his hate grew- especially when he saw that his own son, Teryx, seemed to enjoy the rover's company more than his own. But what really got to him was that the lady he used to call his own was clearly in love with his replacement, and he couldn't bear to see them together.
     Finally, the day came. Xavier was in his usual spot on a fallen branch placed on a hill about 30 feet from the burrow, claws finding the ruts where he had taken his anger out before. There was something different about the mob today.. It had an unusual buzz of excitement. He sat up, trying to get a better look at what the big deal was. His cold eyes narrowed, then widened again with horror- were those... pups!?      
    This was unacceptable. If they grew, then they'd ensure his forever loss of leadership. With a massive intake of air, he let out his frustration with a bark that carried across the burrow, catching the attention of the meerkat he hated most. Xavier leapt off the log, charging down the hill, blinded by fury. His body slammed into the rover's, and he lashed out, fueled by the anger that built up inside him for the past few months.
     The rover squirmed beneath him, submissively chittering. Just as Xavier was going to lunge again, a small squeak took his attention off the bloody male. His eyes searched through the crowd surrounding them, and landed on two pups hiding behind a pupsitter. He snarled, bowling over the girl, and attacked one of the pups- this bloodline wouldn't be needed once he was leader again.
    "Dad, stop!" Xavier looked up to see Teryx hovering over the other little brat. He narrowed his eyes, maw dripping with the innocent blood of the first pup. "Move." His son stood still, shaking his head. "You wonder why no-one cared when you left..." Teryx's lips curled. "I'm not moving."
     "Very well then," Xavier sighed. "If you want that little half breed to live, then you'll take it and leave." Teryx stared dumbfounded for a moment before bristling. "Fine by me." Teryx picked up the ball of fur before padding over to the rover. He helped him up, and the three vanished into the brush. "If I ever see you again, I'll rip your throats out!"

~

     Nexxon lived happily with his dad and half brother, enjoying the endless adventures with them. The three had a bond that couldn't be broken, and decided they needed no-one but themselves. Nexxon developed his wit from his brother, always playfully arguing with him- which usually turned into a playfight that Teryx won. They sometimes caught Arkein with a sad look on his face, staring off in the distance, but cheered him up with a nudge or joke. They all missed their old mob, but knew they'd be killed on sight if they dared to attempt to rejoin.
     Nearly a year and a half passed, and one morning Teryx decided Nexxon was ready for roving lessons. Teryx notified Arkein before instigating Nexxon to chase him with a swift nip to the rear. They finally reached the edge of a burrow before Nexxon forgot about being bitten. "Your first roving lesson begins now- and you're lucky to have the best rover in history as your teacher. It's relatively easy- but for heaven's sake, don't tell a she-cat she's ugly," he snickered, and Nexxon laughed. Teryx watched the burrow, and grinned. "ah, perfect- a young lady pupsitting. Make sure you make it clear that you're not after pups." Nexxon looked at his brother in shock. "what do I even say!?" His brother rolled his eyes before shoving him from behind the bush.
     Teryx watched his brother hesitantly approach the girl, and stiffened when she began to charge him. But Nexxon talked her down to relaxing, and she sat, listening to whatever he was saying. A smirk split Teryx's face. "Aaaand my work here is done!" He vanished to go scratch around for some bugs.
    Nexxon finished telling a made up story that he, his father and his brother went on, pleased to see that the she-kat was thoroughly impressed. She nearly drooled over him, cooing, "You're so brave, Nexxon!" A grin lifted his cheeks, and he basked in his glory for a moment before he noticed the steady drum of meerkat paws- and many of them. He jumped up, fur bristling. The she-kat stood too, with a gasp. "You have to leave, right now!" But Nexxon didn't budge. He could take on anyone!
     Teryx munched on a beetle before turning back towards the burrow, deciding to check up on Nexxon. As he trotted forward, he slowed, hearing something coming towards him. Crouching down, he hid behind a thick grass patch. A meerkat passed by him, but he couldn't clearly see it. Teryx noticed it was heading towards his brother, and he growled, dashing forward, opening his jaws. "Teryx! It's me!" Arkein exclaimed, jumping back. "Oh! I thought you were a sentry," He panted, with a relieved chuckle. A war cry just ahead cut his laugh short, and the two bounded towards it.
     Xavier stood above the young rover, growling in his face. He didn't recognize his step son nearly grown. The mob had them encircled, and the dominant male felt an episode of dejavue come across him- but he wouldn't let another Arkein event happen again. Xavier snarled, "How dare you even come near my burrow... You're about to learn what happens when you mess with this mob, you rat!" Nexxon leaned forward, coming even to the male. "What're you gonna do, old man? Careful your back doesn't break!" he snickered. The dominant male hissed and lunged at the arrogant brat- only to be knocked on his side.
     He jumped up, staring up at Arkein and Teryx in disbelief. That meant the little rover was the pup that survived... Xavier smiled, eyes narrowing. "I thought I told you idiots never to come back..." They growled at him, tensing up. A quick chirp signaled his four sons forward, and they jumped on the intruders at once. "And now I get to keep my promise," Xavier hissed, eyes following Arkien's throat.
     Nexxon charged forward, only to be stopped by one of Xavier's subordinate males. He leapt on Nexxon, latching onto the base of his tail, sending pain shooting up his spine. He shook the older male, bolting away- but he was in hot pursuit, and the male wasn't letting up.
    Nexxon ran as fast as he could, but the subordinate male was quicker, and he soon grabbed Nexxon's leg. The two tumbled, and the male once again latched onto the base of his tail, ripping his head back and forth. He shrieked in pain before tearing away, and he managed to take off again. After a while, Nexxon realized the male wasn't chasing him anymore, and he collapsed. His two best friends certainly couldn't of survived... Nexxon sat, silently mourning. Dusk cast a dark shadow across the Kalahari, and he dragged himself into a nearby bolt hole, falling into a rough sleep.