The promise of pups is always good for a group that needs the numbers, but only if the litter survives. The mood among the Isikara is grim and Trixie knows that it is only a matter of time before things truly fall apart. The numbers have fallen instead of grew and this could be seen as a sign of a leader who is losing her grip on power.

Hope comes in the form of Maryann and Alyssa's new pups. Having been born three weeks ago, the two pups come out for the first time and the family eagerly welcomes them. Even Trixie seems happy to see the pair and has no issue with them trying to suckle. Yet under the feelings of good cheer, there seems to be something troubling. Both pups are small and weak, which means their chances of survival are lower than normal. The Isikara will have to work hard to ensure their survival since this brood is currently all they have. A heavily pregnant Molly had gone below and never resurfaced. She is most likely dead and her pups with her. With everyone present and hungry, Trixie wastes no time in leading the foraging party out. Except that Ruby and Sadie are left behind on babysitting duty. This is their first time and neither girl knows really what to do. If they are lucky then it will be a slow day, if not...

It just might be Trixie's lucky day for a male meerkat has been spotted in their territory. His slightly faded dye marks and the fact that he does not seem to mind human presence is quite interesting, a sign that he has been habituated in the past. And so he has, for this meerkat is King Tut and he is not really a stranger to these parts. Six years ago, the Isikara was under the rule of Trixie's grandmother and King Tut just so happened to be a part of her last litter before the Isikara suffered a group split. The fact that he is there and is clearly not dead could be seen as a measure of hope that maybe the rest of the missing group is out there alive and well somewhere.

King Tut is not interested in returning to his current mob, for he has his eyes on the Isikara. Though he was a part of this group at one time, enough time has passed that he will be seen as a stranger and could be in serious trouble if caught by Cosmo and the other males. Unbothered by the potential risks, King Tut is slowly making his way closer to the group and he has his eye on the prize. Trixie has caught his eye and the rover can tell at a glance that there is an opening for the right to be her king. He just needs to play his cards right.

So far King Tut is able to get past the attention of the sentries who are on duty, their eyes are on the sky where a familiar silhouette is making everyone nervous. Deciding that it is time to take shelter, the Isikara duck down the nearest bolt hole. King Tut wisely moves into a sheltered spot beneath a large bush, for being alone is not good when there is a predator nearby. The eagle lets out a scream of frustration and moves on to find less cautious prey, allowing the family to leave the safety of their bolt hole. While the rest of the Isikara are trying to calm down with some grooming and playfighting, Trixie spots the hopeful suitor and has no intention of being denied this time. While the family is distracted, Trixie wanders off into the bush and eventually gets her man.

The Isikara spend the rest of the day foraging, but Wanda has noticed that her mother is missing. When Trixie still does not appear at the end of the day, it is Wanda who leads the family back to their burrow. By now the rest of the group has picked up on the fact that their boss is missing and they are wary. Before Vicky can get up to her old tricks, however, Trixie suddenly appears and she is not alone. King Tut has spent the entire afternoon with her and Trixie decides that it's time for him to greet the family. Wisely, Trixie had scent-marked the male, and the fact that he smells like them makes Cosmo and the other boys reluctant to attack him. King Tut won't let them get the chance, he approaches Cosmo first and asserts his dominance over the younger male. Cosmo submits, as does Timmy, Sparky, Chirp, Julius, and Amos. King Tut is now the dominant male of the group and Trixie is noticeably different as she goes to work putting the girls in their place. 

It has been a wild year for the Isikara, but now the future looks brighter. Trixie and King Tut will soon be the proud parents of a new litter of pups. 

It doesn't get better than this.

The End of Part One