a Bug's Life © Disney/Pixar
Ant-Man © Marvel
It was Springtime on 'Ant Island'.
The river was flowing with pristine water, and food was plentiful.
and, this season (like many seasons since Hopper's demise) the Ant Colony held a banquet.
One where all bugs were welcome, provided they abide by the "Springtime Truce".
This year would be a special one..as Queen Atta had a unique guest to introduce.
Queen Atta fiddled with her crown as she emerged from the Ant Hill.
She gazed out at the surrounding area at all the various bugs that were gathered.
Though she was initially reluctant at the idea of letting strangers onto the island
(Strangers who could easily steal all their hard earned food, and leave nothing left,
which admittedly HAD happened a few times initially.)
But, in time..the new tradition had set in. And, Ten years since Hopper's death,
Ant Island became a favorite gathering place for bugs of all kinds every Spring.
As Atta flew over to some long blades of grass that served as tables,
she was immediately approached by a short, stocky, make worker ant. "Your Majesty.."
Atta looked to him. "Ah, Thorny. and, how is the banquet going today?"
"Doing alright so far." said the Ant, as he looked over his check list.
"Flik's Circus friends arrived a few minutes ago." Thorny then frowned. "they..look pretty depressed."
Atta frowned, as she knew the reason. Flik had told her that summer,
Heimlich, the "Caterpillar"..had died. and, the Circus Bugs were still reeling from their loss.
Like the Ant Colony, the Troupe were like a family.
and, it is never easy when you lose part of your family.
Atta and Dot learned that the hard way..when their own mother,
the former Queen, died the year following their freedom from Hopper.
"Where are they?" asked Atta.
"Over there." replied Thorny, pointing at a familiar group of insects.
Atta decided to walk over to them rather than fly.
As she approached, she noted the weary looks on Manny and Gypsy.
The couple were old..and, getting OLDER.
Atta feared that their time in the world wouldn't last for very long, either.
"Welcome back to Ant Island." said Atta, her tone pleasant.
The Circus Bugs all looked at the Ant Queen.
It was Rosie, the Black Widow Spider, who spoke. "hello, your majesty."
Atta frowned. "I..understand you are still having a difficult time.
We will try and make your visit comfortable..I'm so sorry."
Slim and Francis were silent. It was Gypsy who spoke next. "Thank you, Atta.
It's been hard, and our act hasn't been the same since..we are hoping to take our minds off of things."
"We will do the best we can." said Atta, grinning at the slight irony of trying to keep entertainers..Entertained.
"We hear you have surprise for everyone this year." spoke Rosie.
Atta blushed sheepishly. "oh..ye-yeah. It is quite the surprise." stuttered Atta.
"See, near the end of last winter..a stranger washed up at our shore." began Atta.
"he was..freezing. near death, so we gave him shelter.
He has no way back home, so we have given him sanctuary within our colony."
"Oh, that is so thoughtful. Helping someone like that." said Rosie.
"This will be his first Springtime Banquet. We want it to be special." continued Atta.
"Thing is, he is very..DIFFERENT. and, I am worried not all bugs will take a liking to him."
"What do you mean?" asked Gyspy, curious.
Atta paused. Unsure if she should tell them 'everything', or not.
She decided against it, and decided to continue being vague.
"Well, he's..not from around here. In fact, he comes from very far away."
"So do we." retorted Manny. "I don't see why that is a problem."
"Well..his species could be..Upsetting." said Atta, hoping to whatever god that existed
that Flik's friends wouldn't press her for an further answers.
"Oh, say no more." said Rosie (earning Atta relief.)
"I can personally vouch for anyone being judged unfairly for being what they are."
"As can I." said Manny. "Just send him our way, and we'll give him a good welcome."
Atta exhaled, feeling (slightly) relieved.
"What is your friend's name?" asked Slim, speaking at last.
"Henry." answered Atta.
"HENRY?!, That's an odd name for a bug." retorted Francis.
"So is "Francis.", but we don't judge you." retorted back Rosie.
The Ladybug groaned, unable to make any further quips.
Rosie then return her attention to Atta. "So, where is he?"
"I..don't know."
Deep underground, in a chamber of the many Ant Tunnels.
Someone was sleeping soundly in a bed made out of a large leaf.
The figure made soft, yet loud breathing noises as he slumbered.
Just then, the sliding leaf "doors" of the room opened up.
a pre-adult, female ant with a lavender exoskeleton and wings peered inside.
She wore a leafy tiara..which further indicated her royal status.
Princess Dot grinned. Though practically an adult, she still had a child's mentality.
she snuck into the room silently, daring not to hover using her wings lest the buzzing woke him up.
She crept closer..and Closer.
Turning the sleeping figure over revealed what appeared to be
a red-and-black exoskeleton, and a head that looked silver.
(Strangely, he had on no sheets.)
Dot grinned wide as she pressed something at the mouth.
The "head" actually opened up, revealing a flesh face underneath the shell.
The face..of a HUMAN.
Dot moved her finger closer to touch his nose.
"touch my nose..and, kiss that hand good-bye." spoke Henry without moving an inch.
Dot flinched. "sorry..I've just never seen anything like that before."
Henry scowled at the Ant..then, sighed as he sat up, and removed his helmet.
It was risky doing this. Being trapped at a minuscule size, his suit was all that protected him
from the harsher environments that his frail, fleshy body was vulnerable to.
BUT, he couldn't stay in his suit forever..and, especially not right now.
"Could you give me some privacy?" asked Henry.
Dot just stared at him..as if she didn't understand what he said.
"Dot?"
*CLICK-CLICK?* responded Dot
*oh, crap. i forgot.* muttered Henry as he reached for something nearby.
Grabbing two silver buds, he placed then deep into his ears like hearing aides.
As he turned them both on, he heard a faint hum as them synchronized.
*Click, Cliiii-i'm sorry, I still can't understand-"
"I SAID: I need some privacy." repeated Henry.
"Oh!, of course." said Dot, backing away to the door.
Henry stared at the Ant Princess disappeared from view.
She was really nice. a bit Weird at times, but still very nice.
Henry then breathed out as he looked around his "room."
It still felt unreal. Being stuck at this size, and now having to live with these Ants.
Not that this wasn't new for him. as "Ant-Man", he'd socialized with Ants before
though, they were mainly feral ants that were about as smart a pack of wolves.
So, meeting seemingly Anthropomorphic Ants with human-like sentience was something new for him.
Regardless, he'd never had to LIVE with them..just socialized.
But, with his regulator damaged, he had no way to return to his true size.
For the moment, he was stuck being 'tiny', and dependent of these Ants to survive.
..And, fortunately, they DID show him kindness.
Truly they were an isolated colony. Any other Ants (or, BUGS for that matter)
with their intelligence wouldn't do any favors for a human.
He didn't intend to make Queen Atta regret her decision to give him shelter.
Henry breathed out as he rose from the makeshift bed.
He felt sweaty in his suit, and needed to bathe right now.
He made his way to an area in the chamber that could be considered a bathroom.
Henry then stripped his suit off, and quickly removed his usual street clothing as well.
He had to be fast, Already he could feel his body getting weaker.
he needed to get bathed quickly, and get back into his suit.
Stepping onto a leafy mat with puncture holes, and pulled a curtain around himself.
He looked up at a large bead of water suspended on the wall.
Least this would be quick.
With a piece of flower pollen in his hand, he pulled a wooden mechanism
that dropped the water bead onto him. Submerging him with the orb of water.
(("I miss taking REAL showers.")) thought Henry silently.
After scrubbing himself with the pollen, he finally poked at the water bead.
It fell apart into tiny droplets, leaving Henry soaked..yet, feeling refreshed.
He made a mental note to speak to Flik about improving this thing.
He wanted to take a shower WITHOUT having to worry about drowning.
*BZZZZZZZ..* Henry froze upon hearing a soft buzzing sound.
Glancing over..he saw Dot hovering above the stall,
staring down at him with big, wide open eyes. "You have a weirdly shaped abdomen."
"DOT!?, WHAT THE HELL?!, GET OUT!" exclaimed Henry, embarrassed.
Dot flew off quickly, leaving Henry alone. Henry huffed sharply. He knew she shouldn't be so upset.
Dot was more curious than pervertive..But, he still didn't like the idea
of a female anything watching him while he showers naked.
[Later]
Henry was walking down a tunnel, deep in thought about something.
Obviously he was wearing his suit and helmet. Though, the face plate was opened up.
While risky, he felt claustrophobic, and needed to breathe.
(Even if the air was a bit "musty", and smelled of damp earth.)
Henry knew that Queen Atta wished for him to appear at the "Springtime Banquet",
a sort of Insect Get-Together, where he was to be her guest of honor.
Henry doubt this was a wise thing to do. Mixing a human in with a variety of bugs.
The Ants may've accepted him..for the most part. But, other bugs weren't as ignorant.
There had to be more than a few with bad experiences with humans.
And, he his presence might cause a panic, if not conflict.
Atta insisted they had a season long truce. ALL Bugs had to get along.
But, Henry wasn't an idiot. he knew this "law" only applied to bugs.
And, despite his size, he wasn't a Bug. he was Human.
(a Human that was now small enough for a disgruntled bug to squish.)
Henry was broken from his thoughts when he passed by the entrance to the Ant Colony's Science Center.
But, nobody called it that. No, this was for all intents and purposes: "Flik's Workshop".
Henry split the leaf doors apart, and entered the lab.
Inside he found a familiar male worker ant with a younger ant of the same type.
"Now, just tighten it there..But, not too tight." spoke Flik.
"Okay, Dad. Like this?" inquired the Ant Child.
"Perfect, Alder. You're doing fantastic!"
Alder smiled at his father. "Thank you, dad."
"Hey, Flik!" spoke Henry. Flik looked up. "OH!, Henry!, I am so glad you are here."
"You sure?, because I can come back la-"
"NONSENSE!, I simply must show you something.." Flik could hardly contain himself
as he led Henry over to a mushroom table where an assortment of gadgets and gizmos were laying.
ONE of them wasn't one of Flik's creations.
"I've been working on your shrinking belt.." began Flik.
"My Regulator."
"Yeah, that. It is quite remarkable." continued Flik. "I've never seen inner workings quite like it before."
"TELL ME you've fixed it."
Flik sighed. "I wish I could say that..But, It's taken a whole week just to study how it even works.
The shrinking function is working, but I can't seem to get the enlarger to work."
Henry groaned, having a feeling this would be the extent of Flik's progress.
The ant's mind was more advanced than the other ants here..but, he was still an ANT.
And, expecting him to figure out a device that runs on Particles,
was like expecting the smartest Grade Schooler to understand how Rockets work.
"I think I have an idea on how to progress faster." said Flik.
"What?"
"Your Regulator seems to have a locking mechanism." began Flik.
"It's suppressing it's functions. Maybe if I disable it, I could-"
"NO." said Henry, sternly.
Flik looked at human, puzzled. "what?"
"Don't fiddle with the regulator's settings, Flik. It's a safety protocol."
"Safety?" Flik was still puzzled.
"Disabling the Regulators inhibitors is dangerous." began Henry.
"Not only could it cause me to enlarge to a planetary scale (which has NEVER been done before)
It could also shrink me down to subatomic size, and enter the Quantum Realm."
Flik's antennae perked up, his curiously peaked. "What is the Quantum Realm?"
"a Microscopic universe. Too small for even bugs to see, and interact with." explained Henry.
"a place where Time, and Reality has no meaning. It's practically "The Great Beyond"
Those who enter it..rarely ever return from it."
Flik noted the tone in Henry's voice. It sounded..personal. "Have you..seen it?"
Henry paused, breathing out. "no. but, I know of one other person who did, and were never seen again."
Flik felt he was treading thin ice, and decided not to pressure Henry any further.
"Okay. Mental Note: If it isn't broken, don't fix it."
Henry was about to say something..when he was suddenly struck from behind "OOF!"
"GLINT STRIKES AGAIN!" exclaimed a young boy Ant with an Orange Exoskeleton, instead of Blue.
Henry scowled as he looked up at the child that was sitting on his back.
but, his frown grew into a grin..As he flipped up, and grabbed the tiny ant in mid air.
"Nice one, Kid. But, knocking someone down is the easy part." began Henry,
as he place Glint back down on the ground. "Making them STAY down is another."
Glint just gave Henry a cocky grin.
"GLINT. If you want to rough house, do it outside." said Flik, sternly.
"You know this is a delicate environment, and I don't want you hurting yourself."
Glint scowled. "Nice to see you too, DAD."
Flik sighed. "now, Glint. Don't be that way.."
Glint ignored his father, and looked up at Henry with pride.
to the five year old Soldier Ant, Henry was like the greatest warrior who ever lived.
"Henry, I have some new fighting moves to show you!"
"Okay, kid." began Henry, as he put his Regulator back onto his suit.
"Let's just leave your dad, and brother to their toys, and you can show me what you've got."
"GREAT!" exclaimed Glint, Happy.
Flik watched as his youngest son walked off with his new human friend.
He didn't want to admit it..but, he felt envious that Glint didn't view him as a Hero.
Alder certainly did, but Him and Glint just never saw eye-to-eye.
Not that Flik didn't try, of course. But, the fact that Glint was born a Soldier Class
(the first one born in many generations) put a wedge between them that couldn't be helped.
Flik may've been brave..but, a Fighter he was not.
"Dad..why is Glint so crazy?" asked Alder, walking up to his father.
"Your brother isn't crazy..just different." said Flik.
"I think he's a JERK. He's always breaking my stuff!"
Flik sighed as he looked down at his eldest son by eight years.
"Well, the best part of inventing is the Process, not the result."
Alder shrugged. "I guess so."
"Is that a battle stance, or a Dance?!" said Henry,
as he watched young Glint hop up-and-down as he made boxing gestures.
"It's suppose to intimidate bad bugs!" defended Glint.
Henry couldn't help but roll his eyes. The kid's heart was in the right place.
..But, he was a tad overconfident.
"Okay, "Killer". Let's see your War Face." said Henry.
Glint gritted his teeth, and made a meek growl. "Errrr.."
Henry just stared. "Okay, let's try that again. THIS Time act angry."
"RAAAAWWRR!" yelled Glint, louder this time.
"Better. Now, let's see you fight. Give me your best shot."
"You sure?, I don't want to hurt you." said Glint.
"Oh, don't worry, you won't."
Glint shrugged, and proceeded to punched at the human's ankles.
To Henry, they felt like strong 'taps', as Glint was too young to do any serious harm.
He let the kid get a few good punches in..THEN, made his move. "Say, what's that over there?"
"Where?!" said Glint, turning to look..Only for Henry shove him aside
with enough strength to force the child into a spinning cartwheel.
*THUD!* Glint collided into a wall, and laid upside-down in a "L" posture.
As Henry chuckled, three sets of claps were heard.
Henry looked to see Princess Dot leaned against the doorway.
"and, just what is THAT suppose to be?" asked Dot.
"Just giving your nephew your fighting lesson is all." answered Henry.
"I see. and, HOW is he suppose to learn anything..if you knock him senseless?"
Henry blushed, feeling awkward. "oh..GEE, I didn't mean to get too rough on him."
"It's okay." said Glint, as he stood up. "It was fun."
"And, what did we learn just now, Glint?" asked Dot, like a teacher expecting the right answer.
"umm..That dirty tricks are necessary?"
"No, that you have to stay focused, and NEVER get distracted." corrected Henry.
"OH..Okay."
Dot darted her eyes between the two males before looking down to Glint again.
"Glint, why don't you go play with the other kids. I need to speak to Henry for a minute."
Glint groaned. "fine.."
As the soldier ant marched off, Dot looked at Henry..who just eyed her. "Yes?"
"henry..ah-About earlier. in your room."
"Yeees?" said Henry, expecting a good response.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spy on you in the shower." said Dot.
"I've just never seen humans up close before, and there is so much about you that I find interesting."
"Well, here is a fun fact" began Henry. "Humans wear clothes for a reason,
and we DON'T like being watched when we're taking a shower."
"ri-Right. Okay, next time I will ask permission." said Dot, smiling like a dork.
Henry just groaned as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Dot. You are the weirdest princess I have ever met."
Dot's antennae drooped at this remark. "oh."
"BUT, somehow..I just can't stay mad at you." finished Henry.
Dot smiled, feeling better that she hadn't offended Henry too badly.
Then, she moved a bit closer. Blushing from her own awkwardness.
"So, uh..you coming up top for the Springtime Banquet?, Atta is expecting you."
"I'm not sure if I should." said Henry. "I may upset everyone there."
"Oh, you will not. Everyone will LOVE to have you there!"
Henry stared at the Ant like she was insane. "DOT..I am a HUMAN.
And, chances are good that most of the bugs up have had bad experiences with my kind."
"Maybe..But, we have a season long Truce." retorted Dot. "No one is allowed to kill anyone all through spring."
"That law only applies to Bugs, Dot. Not shrunken humans."
"LOOK, It'll be okay. You are under our colony's protection." explained Dot.
"And, if it makes you feel any better..I'll stay close to you 24/7."
Henry eyed the lavender ant. "Are you asking to be my date, or something?"
Dot blushed bright red. "well, I-uhh..um, k-kinda..yeah."
Henry took a moment to ponder this. He then sighed, seeing no other option.
"okay..fine. I'll go attend this party..as your DATE."
Dot smiled wide, then forcefully took Henry's hands. "We are going to have SO MUCH FUN!"
Henry groaned, his concerned remaining intact. "I can hardly wait."
[End of Part I]
a Test Story for a possible a Bug's Life story that I may write later on
if this story has a strong enough reaction from readers.
(I intended this to be a Oneshot, BUT as usual, It has to be split into multiple parts.)
FIRST, Let me address the obvious.
1. Yes, this is pretty much a crossover with a Bug's Life, and Marvel's Ant-Man (real original, I know.)
But, it is a crossover that not only works, but is the only one that I feel CAN work.
HOWEVER, I want to be clear this isn't a direct crossover with the MCU film.
So, don't expect to see Hank Pym, Scott Lang, or evn Luis to appear in this story.
The Concepts are there, but I am taking creative liberties with them.
2. This is pretty much "a Bug's Life 2", a sit takes place Ten Years after the film.
Dot is 18 years old, and Flik and Atta have two children to date.
3. Heimlich being absent due to dying offscreen is a reference to Joe Raft's death
(Which I feel is a major reason why no sequel film has been made yet.)
Yes, characters can die in this story..even major ones. NO ONE IS SAFE.
I should also note that Flik's two sons, Alder and Glint, are named after Flik's father
from other a Bug's Life fanfictions I have read in the past.
Glint being orange, and classified as a "Soldier Type" is my own idea.
as I felt that in a Bug's Life, the Ant Colony had Workers, and Royals..but, no soldiers.
(I know WHY, of course. Hopper brainwashed them into thinking they were weak,
so for generations no soldier ants were born, only workers.)
Glint is the first soldier variety to be born in many years,
and some of the plot of my greater story may focus on him
(just as the film had a side plot focused on Dot.)
And..You can probably guess where I am taking Dot's story arc here.