Flik, who was now the Official Inventor, worked on his latest contraption non stop. His latest device consisted of small twigs and a flower attached to a long stick. Flik became a hero by defeating Hopper and his gang, winning independence for his colony 3 years earlier. Atta, who became the colony's new queen all those years ago and just married Flik at the beginning of the third summer, entered Flik's lab.

"Flik, dear, are you going to come out? You've been in here all day."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. It's just that I got a breakthrough with my latest idea."

"What is that, anyway?"

Flik gestured for Atta to sit alongside him. "You know how I get when I get fixated on an idea?"

Atta nodded.

"My latest idea is a catapult. You can throw objects over long distances with it. It's not ready for prime time yet."

Atta briefly pondered the idea. "I just don't see why we'd need anything like that."

"We could protect the colony with it."

"From what? We haven't had any trouble with the grasshoppers for the past 3 years. Then again, whatever became of them since Hopper's death?"

"Beats me."

After a moment or two. They turned to face each other as they locked gazes.

"Atta, you remember when we first fell in love?"

"Well, sometimes I try not to."

"What are you talking about, Your Highness?" Flik playfully walked his fingertips across Atta's shoulders.

"You nearly died then."

"I'm still here, right? Who's your hero?" Flik said as he proceeded to tickle her.

The couple chased each other out into the tunnels, passed through the vertical spiral, and ran straight into their personal chamber across from the lab. They flopped onto their leaf bed with Flik leaning over Atta. After two seconds of gazing into each other's eyes, they busted up laughing. After a few minutes, they stopped laughing and got lost in the other's eyes as they leaned in for a long, passionate kiss.

"I love you, Atta."

"I love you too, Flik."

The two ants got up from the bed.

"Can you do me a favor?" Atta asked.

"Anything."

"Can you appear before the council with me today as we go over the plans for this year's Harvest Festival?"

Flik smiled and took Atta's hand. They walked out of their personal chamber and ascended up the spiral up about 3 levels, then turned left into the council chamber where the ant council was waiting. The council included Mr. Soil, the resident thespian, pedagogue and jack of all trades, Dr. Flora the colony medic, Thorny the chief engineer and Cornelius the agriculture expert.

"There you are," said Thorny.

"I'm sorry. Am I late?"

"Not you! That's a first we've seen you today, kid! Building contraptions again?"

"You got that right, Thorny."

"Why am I not surprised," said Flora.

"Not surprised," Cornelius said.

"What exactly have you been working on, my boy?" Mr. Soil asked.

"It's a catapult. It can launch objects through the air from far away."

"Why would we need something like that?" Flora asked.

"It can protect the colony from invaders."

"We haven't had that kind of trouble for the past 3 years. Why would it be needed now," Thorny asked. "Come to think of it, whatever became of Hopper's lackeys since?"

Flik, Atta and the ant council gave a long pause and silently pondered the matter. After what seemed like a long time Mr. Soil decided to break the silence. "Shall we return to the original matter at hand?"

"That being said, written on this are the plans for this year's Harvest Festival," Atta handed Mr. Soil a blade of grass rolled up into a scroll.

Mr. Soil unfurled the scroll and slowly read it. The others read for themselves over his shoulders. After a few minutes the council finally looked up from the scroll.

"I take it, you're inviting the circus troupe?"

"Well, why not. They helped us stop Hopper all those years ago," Atta said.

"They were also a big hit with the kids," Flik said.

"But how will we reach them with a message?" Thorny asked.

"I'll do it, I'd be happy to volunteer," Flik said as he raised his hand.

Mr. Soil paused. "Just one thing though. We suggest having a travel partner go with you this time."

"Perhaps I can be of help," said a strapping voice out of nowhere. Everyone whirled around to see who was speaking. It was Flik's older brother, Eric. Though somewhat similar to Flik in terms of a blue body and violet eyes he was otherwise broader and slightly taller. His head was so round he looked similar to Thorny at the same time.

"You Eric? What for?" Flik asked.

"I decided I owe you one after what you've done for the colony," Eric glanced over at the council. "Flik and I have done a lot together when we were kids. I assure you he'll be in good hands with me."

Mr. Soil along with the rest of the council looked at Queen Atta who nodded in agreement. "So be it, you two will set out with an invitation to the circus bugs in the morning."