AN: This chapter isn't explicit, but chapter 3 will be! If you have any reservations about the content or trigger warnings listed in my profile, I urge you to avoid reading the next chapter. Once I post Chapter 3, the rating will change to M. The story will still be in the same archive, but you'll have to change the filter settings to show mature rated stories. I would like to thank everyone for reading and reviewing. With that being said, this story is what it is and is not going to change plot wise. I will be doing a rewrite later and the updated version will be posted on AO3. Again, please do not continue reading this story if you have any problems with it.
Hopper stalked over to Flik. The ant continued to kneel but he began to sway slightly. As Hopper approached, he thought of the plans he had concocted for his new friend. He had worked it out after realizing that this ant was the same one that confronted him last spring over the little runt of a princess. Flik's brazenness had caught him off guard the first time and had merely aggravated him.
Now, he was furious.
Hopper needed to compose himself. After all, he needed to put on a show for his audience. With as level a tone as he could muster he prompted, "So, you're taking responsibility for everything, are you?"
Flik gulped and then nodded slowly. His left eye was completely black and swollen by this point. The bruising on his sides were also more evident, slowly becoming a mosaic of black, purple, and green.
"Well then, it seems to me that there's no need to punish your queen or your colony just for one insubordinate subject. If it wasn't their fault, then they shouldn't be punished for your transgressions," Hopper said while gesturing to the colony. He scanned the crowd again and then addressed them, "Wouldn't you all agree?"
After a moment, the colony began to seriously consider what Hopper had said. The ants in the crowd began murmuring amongst each other, and some were seen gesturing and nodding in agreement. They had spent all spring and summer slaving away, first to feed the grasshoppers then to scare them off, and now, the colony was exhausted. Wasn't it true that only one ant was responsible for their current state? If Flik hadn't knocked over the offering in the first place, the colony wouldn't be in this mess. Further, the plot with the fake bird had almost gotten their queen assassinated. Yes, they would have had Atta to lead them, but still, few had faith in her to run the colony on her own. Hopper's words began to resonate among them. Why should they be punished for Flik's actions?
The only ones who looked shocked at what Hopper had said were Dot and the circus troupe. Dot's face was painted with a terrified expression after Hopper's monologue. She was young, but even she knew Hopper's proposition was dangerous for her friend. The circus bugs were too stunned to say anything. Gypsy absently clutched at Manny's arm, and Rosie held onto Dim's horn while the rest of the group stood huddled together. What courage the circus bugs had against Hopper had dwindled away to nothing. After Hopper attempted to strangle Manny before the bird took flight, the bugs had seen just how brutal the grasshopper leader was.
"After all, it would be a waste to kill an esteemed ant such as yourself, Your Highness, and leave your colony without effective leadership," Hopper said while glaring at Princess Atta.
Heat rose to Atta's face and she quickly looked down, angry and embarrassed.
"No, instead I'll do you a favor, since I am so generous. Instead of killing anyone here today, I'll rehabilitate your unruly subject for you."
"Hopper, please," began the Queen. Even though Flik was generally considered troublesome, she knew he had a pure heart with good intentions. She hadn't agreed with Atta when her daughter had sent him away, but she couldn't undermine her daughter's authority if the colony was to take her seriously as a leader. The Queen had understood her daughter's feelings, but didn't agree with her ruling. She cared about all her subjects and had never in her entire reign banished one of them. Flik in particular, while problematic, made her smile with his humor and sincerity.
"No need to beg me, Your Highness," he smiled maliciously, "I'll take care of this problem for you, and you'll have an obedient worker again when I'm done."
Hopper's gang members looked at each other and grinned. This wasn't the first time they had a guest stay with them. Over the years, Hopper had to come up with various ways to keep his boys entertained.
Hopper reached down and grabbed Flik's upper arm and hauled him to his feet causing Flik to wince in pain. Hopper dragged him by the arm not caring that the ant stumbled and struggled to keep up with the much taller grasshopper. Flik was barely able to walk after the beating and it was difficult for him to stay upright, but still he tried.
"We'll be back in the spring to deliver your worker back to you, and you'll see, he'll be good as new."
At this statement, Atta perked up and replayed Hopper's words in her mind. She was still shaken up over her mother, and she hadn't fully processed what Hopper had said about an alternate punishment. Seeing Flik being dragged by the grasshopper sent a wave of terror over her, but she was still too overwhelmed to even speak let alone move.
The grasshoppers began to prepare for flight. In unison the circus troupe and Dot cried, "No!" Tears began to stream down Dot's cheeks. She called Flik's name as the grasshoppers' wings began beating. Francis, Slim, and Gypsy collectively took a step forward having found their courage, but were cut off by four of Hopper's gang members.
Without another word, Hopper and his gang, Flik in tow, took flight. They faded further and further away into the night sky until their figures merged with the stars.
The evening autumn air sent a chill through Flik's body as Hopper took him farther and farther away from Ant Island. Flik had never flown before, but he had always dreamed of flying. In this moment, he just felt sick not only from the foreign motions, but also from the building dread.
What were Hopper and his gang going to do to him? He couldn't even begin to predict the awful things they had in store for him. Were they going to kill him?
By the end, he'll have wished they had.
