I braced myself for death but it never came. There were several shrieks and the Orange got bowled over by all fifteen angry, snapping bugs. They were trying to protect me! He crawled out from under the little bugs and tried to get away but he was soon pinned to the ground by the bug leader. It snarled and opened its mouth, revealing its sharp fangs. I never saw them before.

"No"

The bug leader looked back at me, slightly confused.

"Please, don't eat him! He didn't hurt me or anybody else."

The bug leader stared at me and looked down at the Orange who was now shaking with fear. The bug leader grunted and released him hesitantly. The Orange whimpered and scrambled to his feet. He glared at me with such hatred... if looks could kill.

"Don't let this go to you head, Pinky, we'll be back for you and your little friends. Count on it."

Then he ran back to the other Oranges.

What he said ran through my head several times. We'll be back for you and your little friends... too late was it realized that I made a huge mistake. My horrible dream... it will only happen because I tried to do something in the first place. It was all my fault.

"No..." I squeaked as I slowly sank to the ground, the realization overwhelming me. I think they really were only intending to capture the bugs. The innocents who had been killed before us resisted. We resisted. We're next.

"Please, no..."

It was at that moment that I felt my life come to a turning point already. I have only been alive a couple of days and already I have learned so much. I felt that I had to stay with these insect creatures and do all that I could to protect them. I would soon begin to learn my leadership skills, starting with these creatures.

The bug leader led us back to the pond, where they seem to call their home. I must become more familiar with my surroundings if I want to survive. Back home I had a shelter and other Pinks to protect me. I didn't really have to worry about anything except for Yellow Leader. Out here with these bugs, I have more to worry about. I don't have shelter and the leader protects us all. The younger bugs can overpower enemies in large numbers but they can't be depended on entirely. Not until they grow older and stronger. For basic survival I have what I need, sun, air and plenty of water. But what if we came across more battles and challenges? I have never fought, really. I had others fight for me so far. What would I do if the bugs weren't there to protect me? What if a large predator came along and I had nothing to defend myself with? I can't let that happen.

I know that I have better endurance than, let's say, the Oranges. My eyes have a protective layer that shields against water, dust, strong winds, pretty much anything actually. I can see far distances as well. With my good grip I am able to climb steep walls and surfaces. These skills will be vital to my survival but I need more.

For an entire week I have studied the bug leader closely. My sense of smell isn't very sharp but perhaps other things could make up for that. Us Pikmin, our leaves, flowers and buds are sensitive. I have taken a day or two to learn how to detect danger from watching the bug leader. I raise my leaf and look for changes in temperature and wind. My sensitive feet can pick up even the smallest tremor in the ground and I can tune in to sounds if I focus on what I can't hear. I know it sounds strange but it works.

By the end of my long and hard week of training I have learned much. Thankfully, we have encountered few challenges and all challenges have been scared off by the bug leader. The bug leader never really fights, only intimidates its opponents. I must learn this skill as well. When I look at my reflection in the water I don't look very threatening at all, a cute little pink creature with an adorable leaf and big blue eyes. Would you be scared of me?

Well, I notice that the bug leader whips around its leaf. I could do that at least. If I firmly stand my ground and flex my small claws I am at least prepared for an attack. If only I could somehow convince one of the bugs to help me practice, but I can't understand their cute language.

That was, until my little accident.

It was nine days after our encounter with the Leaders and my fellow Pikmin that we were attacked by something. I don't quite know how to describe it. As usual, we were all following the bug leader around in search for food. The younger bugs ate small plants while the bug leader, much to my disgust, ate the water creatures. It ate small fish and an occasional tadpole, but it seemed to be on an equal level with the creature who tried to eat me the day I joined the bugs.

The red liquid had long gone from the earth and the once dead area was once again teeming with life. I was happy to see that the bugs would try not to let anything faze their lives. So many of the bugs had died but they kept coming back. I admired them that way.

The bug leader let the younger ones roam the grassy field on their own. They never traveled too far, just far enough so that they were within running distance if something bad happened. The bug leader seemed to be making friends with another bug. The second bug seemed to be the same kind as the bug leader and they were rubbing their leaves together affectionately. It was really cute and it made me think of the night I spent with the first Orange... I missed him a lot now that I think about it. When I thought about home I only thought about the Pinks and the rivalry, but I had somehow forgotten the good things. My friends... what if I never saw them again?

I sighed and laid back on the grass, looking up at the sky. The sky was a very bright blue and cute puffy white clouds gently floated by. They reminded me of the fluffy white things that feel off of a certain kind of flower. Are clouds made up of lots of those fluffy things? I bet a cloud would be really soft and comfy.

Then a scream.

The ground shook violently and I got up as fast as I could. I couldn't believe my eyes. Hundreds of bugs were running around in a panic as something huge stood in the middle of a field. I didn't know what it was. It had the head of a bird. The head had huge round eyes that were completely black and shiny, making me think of two beetles. The fur was wild and there were long stringy feathers on the very top of the head. The beak was long and yellow and the tip was red like the horrible liquid that game from the bugs when they were hurt.

The creature had a long and skinny neck covered in shiny bluish-green scales. The neck seemed to continue on and on, making up a really long serpent body and tail. There were strange growths on either side of its body like deformed wings and further down the body looked like tiny legs. Of course, they were too small to be of any use.

The creature screamed to the sky and lunged at the ground where several confused bugs were scattering and tripping over each other in panic. It speared a huge red bug with white spots and I saw the red liquid gush from the poor bug's body. It hadn't even the time to scream out in pain as it was killed almost immediately. Then the horrible serpent tossed the bug into the air and caught it again, swallowing it whole.

I was too frightened to even move. I couldn't understand how such a creature even existed. I snapped out of it when Spot ran into me, squealing in horror and urging me to run. I got to my feet and looked around. The bug leader's friend was gone and the bug leader was roaring. Its herd was running back into the grass, I think they were returning to the pond. And I couldn't help but notice how close the monster was getting to the bug leader. Too close.

Not even thinking, I rushed toward the bug leader and jumped at it. Caught off guard, I had managed to knock over the bug leader and it rolled away a bit before realizing what happened. But I didn't see what else happened.

The blinding pain.

I was now caught in the monster's beak, feeling my life being crushed from my body.