I tried once again to get out of their grip but it was no use. The grasshoppers had caught me and there was nothing I could do about it. They were going to take me to Hopper and what would he do to me? I didn't want to think about it but it was almost impossible. There were so many things I could think of, each worse than the previous. Then I remembered something Hopper had said in the summer and my body filled with even more dread,

'This is Thumper and he'll be dealing with any ant who thinks they know better than to stay in line . . .' I had done more than just stepped out of line, I was heading for my doom for sure! I turned my head. Among the stalks behind me, Flik was standing looking absolutely horrified. He must have heard me screaming. I could tell he was desperate to help me in anyway he could. I shook my head at him. He couldn't possibly take on three grasshoppers and win! And if he tried to help, the most likely outcome would be the discovery of the Bird and the plan we had! Or what if he got captured too? He'd be in worse trouble than I if he'd tried to help me.

He didn't move or try to help me but the expression on his face I would never forget. I forced myself to turn my head away, wondering if it would be the last time I would see him. My only hope now was that the plan would be put into action quickly enough to distract Hopper from dealing with me.

The grasshoppers dragged me towards the colony, towards Hopper. My heart was full of terror; I could see him getting closer and closer.

'Hopper, we've got her!' shouted one of the grasshoppers holding me. I felt a chill engulf my entire body. Hopper turned towards us. So did the rest of the colony. My Mother turned her head towards me. Even from that distance I could see sadness in her eyes. Did she feel I had let her down and that everything she had taught me was for nothing? Or maybe she really wanted to help me but knew she couldn't or . . . or perhaps Hopper had told her what was to happen to me when I was caught. I breathed quickly as we got closer.

I was flung to the ground before him. I slowly looked up, my face pale as chalk. He smirked down at me.

'So you thought you could escape, did you, Princess?' he sneered. I didn't reply I just stared up at him, fearful. What was going to happen to me? 'Where you actually naïve enough to believe you stood the slightest chance?' I remained silent. I was paralyzed by fear as he towered over me. I shuffled backwards, trying to get further away from him.

'You're not going anywhere, Princess!' He snarled. I had to admit to myself he was right. I was utterly surrounded by grasshoppers, it was impossible to get away. 'Not until I've taught you a lesson you will never forget!' he continued bearing down on me. What was he going to do? 'I will personally see to it that you never see the light of day . . .' Circus music was playing.

'Ladies and gentlemen, larvae of all stages, rub your legs together for the world's bug circus!' The circus bugs came into view riding on top of the circus wagon waving. I felt quite relieved.

'Wait a minute!' bellowed Hopper. The wagon stopped and so did the music. The circus bugs looked nervous. Hopper turned back to me. 'What's going on here?' he asked, his voice menacing,

'Well . . . uh . . .' I stuttered.

'Um, yes.' Answered the stickbug, laughing nervously, 'We were invited by Princess Atta as a surprise for your arrival.' I was desperately hoping Hopper would take this well. He didn't.

'Squish 'em!' The circus bugs gasped. The other grasshoppers got ready. However, just then the pill bugs zoomed out of the canon landing in front of us. Hopper stared at them in bewilderment. They started dancing and saying something in their gibberish Hungarian. Then they disagreed on something and started fighting. 'Now that's funny.' Said Hopper, amused. The other grasshoppers sat down and laughed. Oh, thank goodness! Hopper grabbed me and flung me into a seat. 'I'll deal with you later, Princess. Looks like you did something right for once; I guess we could use a little entertainment.' The stickbug laughed nervously,

'On with the show!' The circus bugs started performing, all was going according to plan so far. My Mother looked over to me and gave me a bizarre look. Did she suspect that I had brought the circus bugs back when I had supposedly been trying to run for it? Or was she wondering why they had come back on their own accord?

I didn't dare look up. I knew what I would see; Flik and the others climbing up the tree. And what if Hopper saw me looking up? The whole plan would be ruined! The grasshoppers were laughing exceptionally hard. Surely they wouldn't notice if I had a quick check? I quickly looked around me just in case. Then I looked up. They were three quarters of the way up. Awesome, they were faster climbers then we had anticipated and were ahead of schedule. I looked back down again, not wanting to be noticed.

My Mother had seen me and looked up too. She looked slightly shocked and quickly looked at me with a look of realization. She wasn't the only ant who had noticed me though; Mr. Soil was looking up and Cornelius was nudging Dr Flora and pointing upwards. I wished they wouldn't, they were more likely to attract attention to Flik and the others. Fortunately, the grasshoppers were concentrating completely on the circus performance.

Oh, hurry, hurry! Ivy and Carlos, who had been clutching each other, were looking up too by this time. Ivy whispered something to Carlos and he nodded. What had she said to him? Was it about me? Had they realized too?

'. . . of enchanted Asia, I give you the Chinese cabinet of metamorphosis,' Manny was saying. Yes, Flik, Petal and the others would be in by now. 'Using psychic vibrations I shall select the perfect volunteer.' I knew very well who he was going to pick, 'Why your majesty,'

'Me?' answered my Mother slightly surprised. Thumper screamed threateningly.

'Thumper, down,' said Hopper 'let her go, maybe he'll saw her in half.' He laughed. It was working perfectly so far.

'As you ascend the dung beetle to the unknown,' continued Manny, 'put your trust in the mysterious, beyond here, immortal compilation.'

'Oh, this is going to be good.' Said Hopper, obviously enjoying himself. Yeah, good for my Mother, good for me and good for the rest of the colony!

'And now the senturine spirits to inhabit the body of our volunteer. Transformation! Transformation! Transformation! And now Insectus Tranformatious!' Gypsy shot out of the box and then landed. Any second now she would give the signal. She bowed and flapped her wings up and down. That was the signal. Any moment now the Bird would shoot down and we would almost be entirely safe. The circus bugs started to move the container away as the grasshoppers shouted for more.

'Wait!' shouted Hopper, 'Where is she?' I didn't understand, the bird should have come down by this time! I looked up again, Flik was shouting to Wood and Stump. There was some sort of problem with moving the beam keeping the bird in place! Oh no! 'I said where is she!' Hopper and his gang were advancing on the circus bugs. Oh, hurry, Flik, hurry! I looked up for a third time; the boys had almost done it. Come on! It was out! Yes! We were all saved! The Bird went hurtling towards Hopper. He yelled.

'Bird! It's a bird!' he shouted panicked. The rest of the colony ran wild pretending to be terrified. I jumped up and joined in! It was a good excuse to get away from Hopper at any rate. I let out a few screams to add to the effect. Hopper was hiding behind his brother, shouting. Many grasshoppers had flown for it. I could tell it wouldn't be long until he gave up and left. We had almost won!

But what was this? No! It wasn't possible! No! The Bird! It was on fire! I stopped in my tracks and gasped. Oh, no! This couldn't happen! Not now! Oh, no! Flik and Petal were in there! As I watched the bird fell from its binding hurtling towards the ground and crashed.

'Flik!' I cried out, running towards the wrecked, burning bird, 'Petal!'