Bug City – Part 1
I know technically this isn't Disney, but there are only so many movies I can leech off! So, I went for Disney Pixar instead. Same difference. For those of you who are wondering, Sonic is a Spring Azure. Type it into Wikipedia. Imagine 'The Flik Machine' playing while they're running around the city, 'Seed to Tree' when they're running around Ant Island, and 'Victory' when they're fighting Heartless. Why not play them while you're reading?
I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog or Kingdom Hearts, savvy? On with the story!
I get a bad feeling about this next world.
Everything looks really small. We'll probably squish everything if we land there. Donald and Goofy don't look as surprised or worried as I do. They must have something planned.
"Hold on, you two! I need to cast some magic so we can adapt to this world. This is gonna get a little bumpy."
The problem is, I seem to have a slight resistance to magic, so I don't know whether this spell if going to work on me. I don't even know how this is going to work in the first place: maybe the spell will drain Donald's energy until it does what it's supposed to do, or maybe it can only use the energy Donald puts into it in the first place to try and do it all. I don't know if magic works the same way that Chaos Energy does.
I get a sick feeling in my stomach: the spell must be taking effect. It seems like the world starts squishing itself together and blurring, like we've been stuffed in a blender. It's probably only the ship that's being affected, though. It doesn't hurt or anything; it's just really uncomfortable.
Then, it stops.
I stumble out of the ship, feeling that my back is heavier than it would normally be. My eyes are shut, my head still spinning after the trip. When I open them, it becomes clear that I've shrunk. A single blade of grass is about four times the height of me; a pebble is bigger than my hand. The moon shines above us, seeming even further away than ever.
"I don't think I've been to this world before."
"This must be what Master Yen Sid said about more worlds being affected."
"Are you OK, Sonic? Was that your first time?"
They ask this because I'm staring rudely. Donald seems to have morphed with a bee; his body is black and gold with small wings. Goofy looks like a beetle with a dog's head. This must be what they meant by 'adapting to the world'.
And I have blue butterfly wings and antennae.
Joy.
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it."
I slap my forehead. This wasn't what I had in mind.
"I wonder where we are. We must be in some kind of bug world if we all look like this."
"How can you be so... so calm about this? I mean, you're on four legs!"
"I'm on four legs a lot, so it's no big deal."
"You mean there are other worlds out there like this?"
"Well, none that we've seen like this. There are other worlds that we need to change shape in, though. You'll get used to it."
Both Donald and Goofy get used to their forms straight away. I have difficulty walking, as my centre of balance has shifted. I get the hang of it eventually by learning how to fold my wings so they're not sticking out the back, but relaxed around me like a cape. Other than my wings, antennae and a small amount of chitin I still look pretty much the same. We three probably make quite a sight.
We walk for a bit before finding ourselves coming out of an alley into a city. A bug city, of all things. It's just like back home: streets lights, roads, buildings, only everything is made differently. The street lights are fire-flies with their rear ends shoved in bulbs. The cars are simply bugs that are too big to fit on the pavements. The buildings are cardboards boxes turned upside down. It's quite a sight.
A commotion rises from what looks like a can lying on its side. Flies whizz in and out of the opening, muttering to themselves about 'circus freaks'. The magic Donald cast must be translating for us, too. Something seems off about the whole place. My Heartless senses must be tingling. Donald and Goofy clearly feel the same way, because they both have looks on their face like they're trying to solve a complex maths formula in their heads.
"Are we gonna stand around here looking confused, or are we gonna go in?"
They snap out of it and nod. Looks like we found our lead already. We push aside the fabric hanging over the opening of the can and step inside. It looks like a bar and restaurant inside, with bottle tops for tables. Insects are eating what looks like grub, served up restaurant style. Two mosquitoes are drinking blood out of thimbles at the bar. A ladybug holding menus sidles over.
"Table for three?"
"Yeah, thanks."
She takes us over to an empty 'table' and sits us down. We get a menu each.
"Care to order any drinks, honeys?"
"Gawrsh, I don't know if we can-"
"Surprise us."
She raises her eyebrows, or at least the section where her eyebrows would be if she had hair, mutters something about 'exotic bugs', and goes to get our order. She comes back with three droplets of some liquid on a platter and hands them to us.
"That'll be 300 munny, dears."
I pull the munny sack I got from Prince Adam out of my quills and take 400 munny out. At least, I think its 400 munny. I think 1 coin is the same as 1 munny, but I'm not sure.
"Keep the change. It's a tip for quick service."
She smiles gratefully at me and rushes off to serve another customer. I take a sip of the droplet: its diluted whisky. It still catches the back of my throat: I'm smaller now, so it has more effect. Not that I was very good with alcohol anyway. And people wonder why I never had any wine at any of the parties the president keeps throwing for me.
"Should we really be drinking? Perhaps we should be looking for the Keyhole."
"Or the Heartless!"
"Relax guys. I've found that, if you wait long enough, everything comes to you. Now, I propose a toast. To the King!"
"To the King."
We make the action that we'd normally do if we we're toasting; we don't actually toast each other because we're holding droplet's that'd probably splash everywhere if we did. I get a glance of a few bugs nudging each other and pointing at me. Donald and Goofy don't look comfortable.
"Afraid they think we're freaks?"
"No... It's not that..."
"Well, that waitress called us 'exotic bugs'. Hopefully they'll put our strange appearance down to that."
"Gawrsh, Sonic, I think they're trying to flirt with you!"
"I doubt that! They look male."
"Yeah, but you've got your legs crossed like a woman!"
"What? Most guys sit like this where I come from. It's just comfy, is all."
"You must come from a long way away."
I roll my eyes at them. I'm not going to change the way I sit just because I get a few approving looks. I swallow the rest of my whisky and wait for Donald and Goofy to finish.
"So, where do you think this Keyhole is, then?"
"No idea. I've never seen this world before."
"Me neither."
"Well, that's just great. I thought you'd both travelled to all the words with Sora?"
"We only went to the worlds that were in danger of the Heartless."
"Yen Sid was right, saying that the Heartless have spread."
"I just hope we find it soon."
"We haven't seen any Heartless yet, at least."
"That'd really draw attention to us!"
The ladybug waitress from before comes back to us.
"Is everything OK?"
"Yes, fine, thank you."
"Can I get you anything to eat? Oh, hang on a sec. I'm sorry, but someone's just arrived."
She vanishes, which is somewhat of a relief, because I don't think any of us are hungry. Not for this 'Poo Poo Platter' anyway. She grabs a few menus off the counter and makes her way over to the entrance.
"Welcome! How many are with you?"
She never gets an answer. Just her heart stolen.
Her face freezes instantly, still in its cheery yet forced smile, before her body crumples into darkness. Looks like the Heartless have finally made their appearance. The Keyblades draws them to us, I think. The loss of the waitress causes general panic, especially when her body reforms into a Heartless itself. The insects try and flee the can: only a few make it. Most have their hearts stolen. It's not long before it's just us and the insects at the last table, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let anyone else get hurt!
The Heartless leap into battle, the three of us following suit. Keyblades, fire and the edge of a shield rip through them all, spraying pure darkness everywhere as they disintegrate. I see the insects protecting themselves, funnily enough, by using the long one as a lance. Not bad for a bunch of bugs.
When the last one is gone, we finally stop to rest.
I feel bad about the ambush. As a hero, I feel it's my duty to save everyone, even though the loss of the waitress wasn't technically because of me. She shouldn't have offered a table to a Shadow. The other insects look triumphant. A lone ant crawls his way up to me, bowing at my feet.
"You're perfect! Oh, great ones! I have been scouting for bugs with your exact talents! My colony is in trouble. Grasshoppers are coming; we've been forced to prepare all this food! Please will you help us?!"
I help the poor thing to his feet.
"Of course we'll help."
"What?!" quacks Donald, not sounding at all like the bee he's supposed to be. He stirs his wings irritably, carrying himself a few centimetres of the ground.
"Do you have a Keyhole in this colony of yours?" I ask.
"We do! How did you know? I'm sure the Queen will show you it if you help us."
"Can't argue with that logic, right, Donald?"
He frowns deeply, hitting the floor again. Logic prevails. The other bugs, also included in this deal, whisper excitedly behind us.
"Ooh, a talent scout!"
"Sounds like a theatre job!"
"And food!"
The ant is too busy hugging me ecstatically to hear them. They don't sound like the right bugs for the job, but...
"We'll take the job! You can explain the details on the way!"
A few flies manage to pull themselves out of the wreckage but we're rushed outside before I can help them, the insects looking scared for some reason. The ant is placed on the back of the rhinoceros beetle; I hop on as well. Once everyone has a pair of wings, or is being carried by a pair of wings, we take off. It's like being on a helicopter when the beetle buzzes his wings. The noise is incredible. Once we reach a level altitude, the buzzing decreases until I can hear again.
It surprises me to find that Donald and Goofy are flying just fine. Goofy's wings must have been under his chitin all along. Poor me can't fly yet. I'll need a bit of practise. We reach the edge of the city by daybreak. It looks just like a pile of boxes during the day, instead of the city of lights it was in the dark. The ant turns to me, sitting between me and the two pill bugs.
"I'm Flik. I can't thank you all enough for helping me."
"Hey, no problem. Helping people is what we do best!"
The spider and the stick insect exchange glances.
"My name's Sonic. This is Donald and Goofy."
"Dim," booms the rhinoceros beetle.
"Frances," says the Ladybug, with a roll of her... I mean his eyes.
"Rosie," says the black widow spider.
"Heimlich," says the caterpillar being flown around by Dim.
"Slim," says the stick insect being carried around by Francis.
"Manny," says the praying mantis.
"Gypsy," says the moth. "This is Tuck and Roll. They don't speak English."
I surprise myself with my extensive knowledge of insect species.
"I haven't seen any bugs like you three before. Where are you from?" asks Francis. I don't think they'd like or believe the truth. So I lie.
"We're from... abroad. We got carried into the country by... mistake?"
"Well, that explains your odd looks."
"Who're you calling odd?"
"Donald, play nice."
"What we're those things that attacked us in the bar?!" asks Gypsy, a hint of worry in her voice.
"They're the Heartless. They're... a new... species?"
"You don't sound very sure."
"I get that a lot. It's a little hard to explain."
"You know, Sonic. I think I've seen them before!" exclaims Flik. "They attacked us a long time ago, but Hopper and his gang stepped in and scared them away. He said that he'd protect us if we gathered food for him and the swarm. That's where all the problems started."
"Oh, you poor thing!" exclaims Rosie.
"Looks like we came along at the right time."
"Well, this whole thing was kinda my fault. See, I accidentally... knocked all the food we'd gathered off a cliff. Then, Princess Atta – boy, is she one in a million – sent me to come find help. And seeing you all fighting those Heartless... boy, are those grasshoppers in for a surprise!"
The grass parts beneath us. Lines of ants are collecting the seeds from the grass stalks. They all panic and start running for cover when we all fly over. A couple of baby ants are jumping up and down on a leaf, waving at us. Flik waves back. It must be good to have a home to go to.
We land in a clear patch of ground, next to a big leaf with food on it. The other insects balance on top of each other and go "Ta-da!" but everyone's in hiding. Not quite the welcome party I was expecting. Flik jumps down off Dim's back, leaping about like one excited little ant.
"Hey! Everybody! I'm back! And I brought the warrior bugs!"
One of the little ants from before runs over to Flik and jumps into his arms. They both start laughing. I get the feeling that they were both half expecting that Flik would never come back. After the little ant comes over, the rest of the ants follow.
Now this looks more like a welcome party!
They all gather around in a mixture of awe and fear. The children are less afraid than the adults, and get closer. One of them pulls at my wing, and I bend down to him.
"Are you a monster?" he asks.
"Only when I'm hungry!" I answer. He laughs.
"You're like my dad!"
An elderly ant with wings greets us all, but mostly Flik. She must be the queen, judging by her gender and the fact that she's wearing a crown made out of petals.
"Well, my boy! You came through! We're very impressed."
Another female ant joins us, looking more worried than her mother.
"Guys, this is Princess Atta! She's the one who sent me to find you!"
"They look absolutely ferocious, don't they?"
"They're our ticket outta this mess!"
The Princess balks and turns away, hurriedly talking to her peers. She doesn't seem very keen. Donald and I exchange looks.
"Are you always this badly welcomed?"
"Rarely. Once, when we were in Atlantica-"
"You're majesty!" proclaims Francis from on top of Dim. "Ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls of all ages. Our troupe here guarantees a performance like no other! Why, when your grasshopper friends get here we are gonna Knock. Them. Dead!"
The crowd goes wild! I think what Francis means and what the ants think he means are two entirely different things.
"I'm starting to get the feeling that we're the only actual warriors here."
"I've been having that feeling ever since we met them."
Everything happens really fast after that. We foreign insects are escorted to shaded seats constructed from leaves and pebbles while entertainers play music and perform acts for us. I think it's fascinating. To think, these ants have the same principles as us! Everyone is slightly horrified when the children do a small performance, depicting a huge battle scene where everyone dies. That's maybe not the best thing to see before we kick grasshopper butt.
"The others don't look very happy."
"Gawrsh, sounds like they're talking about leaving."
"Well, we're not going to desert them, right? I mean, how hard could a few grasshoppers be compared to a castle filled with Heartless?"
Atta gets up to make a speech, but she's so nervous that I can hardly hear her, and I'm two people... well, bugs away from her. Flik, who is the bug between us, quickly makes a megaphone out of a leaf, which works surprisingly well.
"First, I'd like to thank the warriors for helping us in our fight against the grasshoppers. Secondly, I would like to thank... Urrgh... Flik, for his forthright thinking."
"Thank you, your highness!" proclaims Flik, taking the makeshift megaphone off her. "Oh, sure I'd like to take credit for all of this, but that wouldn't be right!"
"He's really milking this, huh?"
"You got that right."
"Because it was you, Princess Atta, who believed in me and set me on my quest. Now I know that I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, and I'm hoping this will make up-"
Rosie taps him on the shoulder. Looks like they're not going to stick around after all.
"Not right now, Rosie, I'm making a speech. Now, I truly believe that these bugs are the answer to our (no there's no circus around here), so I..."
He stops and turns. The bugs are juggling. He pales. We three exchange knowing glances.
"Your highness! The warriors have called for a secret meeting to plan for circus – ah circumventing the oncoming horrors so they can trapeze – trap them with ease!"
"Well, shouldn't I come too?"
"NO! Ha ha ha. No, it's classified. Sorry I have to take the warriors away so early, but they... they have a lot to get done... with the battle looming, and all. So, uh, please, everyone enjoy the party."
We're all ushered off and into the grass again. We're far enough away from the rest of the ants so that Flik can yell at the bugs without being overheard.
"Circus bugs? How can you be circus bugs?!"
"Hey, you said nothing about killing grasshoppers, pal. You lied to us!"
"Ja!"
"Are you kidding?! You know what this is? This, my friends, is false advertising!"
"How dare you! You, sir, are the charlatan in this scenario! Touting your wares as a talent scout. Good day to you, sir!"
They leave. Flik barely notices us as he runs after the retreating figures of the insects. We all exchange glances.
"Maybe we should go. This doesn't look like a good time to be around."
"They won't believe us if we say that we'll still take care of the grasshoppers. We can, but we look like three normal insects."
"We have to at least try. We need this Keyhole!"
"Flik! Flik? I really think I should be attending this meeting!"
Flick comes running back, looking slightly depressed. He rummages around in the leaves before revealing Atta's face. At least, I think he reveals Atta's face, but I'm not behind him to see.
"Oh, Princess Atta! What a nice... surprise."
"What exactly is going on? I would like to speak with these so-called warriors."
"You can't! I mean..."
"Come talk to us, princess!"
About time I made my presence known. I part the leaves and step through to her side.
"Go help Flik," I whisper back to Donald and Goofy. They nod.
"SO!" I say, trying to take her attention away from the fact that her 'warriors' are currently running away. "What can I do for you?!"
"Walk. Now."
I sigh and sag my head, doing as I'm told. She is a princess after all. We walk a ways before she flies up to sit on the leaf of a plant. I feel a bit awkward.
"Umm... Princess? I'm not... very good at flying."
"Oh, come on! You're a butterfly!"
"OK, then. I'll try. Don't be surprised if this fails."
I flap my wings as hard as I can. To my surprise, I actually leave the ground and land safely on the leaf. Flying isn't as hard as I first thought!
"Huh! My wings must have gotten bigger."
Atta doesn't look impressed.
"Now, tell me everything. Don't leave anything out! Frankly, I don't trust you 'warriors'."
So, I tell her. I actually do miss out a lot, but most of it either isn't important or gives away mine, Donald and Goofy's identities. Or that includes the true identities of the other 'warriors'. Luckily, she doesn't notice the difference.
"Well, sounds like I underestimated you. You. I'm not convinced about the other bugs."
"I can't help you with that. I'm just passing through. I always am..."
I feel sad suddenly. Atta must realise, because she changes the subject.
"What are you actually planning to do about the grasshoppers? I didn't hear a lot of 'planning' going on back there."
"Well, I don't really know about the skills of the others, so I can't say for sure. Donald, Goofy and I, however, are already trained in hard combat."
"That didn't answer my question."
"Well, I'll just hit them over the head really hard."
She's not impressed.
"Well, it hurts more if you hit them with this."
I summon the Keyblade, which appears to be a stupid move, because it scared Atta. She leaps several inches into the air without even unfolding her wings, which is a miracle in itself, and flies off to another leaf.
"I knew you were freaks! You're worse than the grasshoppers! Oh, wait till I tell my mother!"
She flies off before I can stop her. I don't think I could out-fly her until I get more experience, either. I sigh. No one is very accepting. The sound of screaming breaks me from my reverie. I fly towards it, stopping when I reach a gorge. The ground is dry and cracked; the wind and sun harsh and biting.
And everyone is running for their lives.
They're being chased by a bird, which looks very hungry. The bugs with wings have the obvious advantage, being that they won't fall into the cracks. Poor Flik doesn't have a chance. A tiny little voice calls out from above me. The ant that seems to keep running after Flik is attached to a dandelion parachute, screaming her head off. Looks like she's bitten off more than she can chew. The bird makes a bee line for her.
And she let's go.
I leap into action, being the only bug not having his life threatened. I fight with the wind, which seems to want to hinder me. Being so small makes me easy to blow around, accompanied by the fact that I'm still pretty bad at flying. The little ant falls faster and faster, her screams getting more and more panicked by the second. I won't reach her in time.
Luckily, Francis catches her.
The last I see of them is when they both tumble into one of the cracks, the bird just barely missing them. I can't go help them when they're being attacked, or I'll get eaten too. I hover in the air, feeling the winds dying down again. Flik and the others hide behind a large rock. He gives me a wave, like he's trying to tell me something. I just presume he's got an idea.
By now a large crowd has gathered on the edge of the precipice, watching the scene unfold. Princess Atta is there, holding a telescope made out of a leaf to her eye. I didn't know she had that kind of talent too! I give her a wave, point to my eyes, and point at the bird to let her know that I'm watching out for the ant. She lowers the telescope in what could be disbelief, but doesn't wave back. She's probably wondering why we're all going to such helps to save the ant when she'd just called me a freak.
Then the bird gets distracted. Heimlich is being held up in the air by Slim, who must be being crushed, the poor thing. They're holding it in the direction opposite to where I'm hovering, so the bird is led away from me too. Flik gives me a signal, which I presume to mean 'go'. So I do.
I nose dive down to ground level and try and find Francis and the ant. I hear the ant screaming, but I don't see her.
"I can't see you! Where are you?"
"I'm over here! Please, the ladybug is hurt!"
A few rocks are thrown up and out of a crack. Now I know where they are! I dive into the crack, landing somewhere roughly. I pick up Francis first, being the one who is hurt, and hoist him into a rope swing, which Rosie has spun after being hung from Dim with Flik riding on him. Looks like we're all in for the effort. Donald and Goofy dive down to help me support him as he's lifted up.
"Stay here with Dot, Sonic! We can only take one at once!" yells Flik over the beating of Dim's wings. I nod and plummet once more. Dot is crying and shaking. This must be the first time she's ever been in any real danger. I told onto her tightly, her tiny body shaking against mine. Poor kid.
"...We can't say here... We need to... sniffle... help Flik..."
"Flik will be fine. He's Flik, remember? And call me Sonic."
"But, we need to go! That bird might come back!"
"... Good point. Besides, it's not worth risking everyone just to save us two, when we can get away on our own! Can you fly?"
"No... I'm not strong enough."
"I'm not too good either. Just hold on tight, OK?"
She nods and tightens her grip around my waist. I spread my wings, a difficulty due to the lack of space down here, and take to the air. Trying to climb while trying not to graze your wings of the rocks in hard. I'm relieved when we finally reach open air, so I can open out fully.
The bird is coming back.
It takes to the air this time, seeing that its food also has wings. Dot screams, and I brace myself. Time to put these new wings to the test!
I figure that I'll be faster if I'm falling, as most things are. So, I climb and wait for the bird to get closer. When it's about to gobble us up, and drop quickly, gaining speed as I go. I can't do this too much, though, or I'll just keep dropping until I'm on the floor again. I see Dim escaping through some thorn bushes. The bird won't be able to follow us through there. That's our safest bet.
I don't think I'm going to reach it in time, though.
That's the problem. Butterflies aren't known for speed, but grace. It's a pity I wasn't a wasp: they're fast, but also feared. I'd be more impressive to the colony. What am I saying? Now isn't the time for this! I can't escape, so I'll have to fight.
"Dot? Are you OK?"
"I've been better!"
"I'm going to drop you, OK? Don't panic! I'll put you down in a shallow crack. Stay there so I can come back for you later!"
Before she can complain I let her go. She's pretty sturdy to have made it this far, so I'm not too worried. However, she is female, and therefore a princess too. I don't want to be held responsible to the death of a future ruler of the colony.
I gain in height slightly, faster now that I'm not carrying around the extra weight. I summon both Keyblades, reading to do battle. This isn't a Heartless, though, so I won't do as much damage. I don't want to kill the thing, per se, but scaring it off would be good. My wings are starting to hurt.
It makes a lunge for me. I quickly dodge out of the way, so close I can feel the feathers along my back, and strike at the neck with the Kingdom Key D. I probably didn't do all the damage I wanted, but if I whack it enough, just maybe...
It's a lot faster and more agile than I am, which is saying something. We almost dance with each other, both striking but never hitting. I manage to get a jab at its eye, making it back off for a moment. I think I've scared it off, but it makes a blind lunge for me.
And hits.
I'm sent flying, my weight far overshadowed by that of the bird's. I tumble through the air, unable to regain my balance, and hit the ground hard. A butterfly's wings are very delicate: once they break they never heal. I hope I haven't broken my wings. The bird lands, still blinking furiously to try and clear its vision. I mustn't have hit it very well, because it stops fidgeting and makes a beeline for me, who can't get up in time.
Just before it can swallow me whole, it's hit in the side of the face by an ice shard. In this weather it had to be magic, and the only one who can use magic is:
"Sonic!"
Donald and Goofy have flown over and are currently saving my butt. They do a better job of fighting off the bird than me, considering that they're using magic and a sharp shield to do damage. And there's two of them, and only one of me, so really I did quite well.
Eventually the bird gives up, figuring out that we're not worth all the effort, and makes a hasty retreat. I pull myself up, inspecting my wings. They're not broken, thankfully. Just a bit bruised. Nothing I haven't had before. Donald stops to cast a healing spell on me, which doesn't work because I'm immune to weaker magic. I use the Chaos Energy inside my gloves instead.
They both fly off, probably to see if everyone else is alright. Donald's magic might be necessary, considering the state Francis was in. When I'm feeling better I dip down into the crack where I left Dot. She's sitting in a corner, her hands over her head. I tap her on the shoulder and she jumps about as much as her sister did, if that's who she is. She looks relived to see me, and gives me a big hug.
"I thought you'd forgotten about me!"
"Hey, I'm a hero, right? I don't leave anyone behind."
She laughs happily and wraps herself around my waist again. I use the power of the Chaos Energy to give me a little more oomph so that I can actually make it back to the colony without collapsing. When I emerge from the crack, the sound of cheering reaches my ears. The entire colony, along with all the circus bugs, are standing along the edge, cheering.
"Flik was right. You really are a warrior bug!" chirps Dot.
"Well, I hope I've convinced your sister of that. She wasn't too impressed."
I drop suddenly in the air, feeling exhaustion beginning to kick in. Dot holds on tighter as I struggle my way back to solid ground. I hate this world...
When I get back Dot is snatched from my arms by the Queen, also known as 'her mother', and I'm pounced on my Donald and Goofy. They look glad to see me.
"Does this mean you're not going to insult me anymore, Donald?"
He just laughs. What else can we do? Francis is carted off into the ant hill on a stretcher to get medical care for his leg. I just ask for a rest. We're all taken into the ant hill ourselves, which is a sure fire sign that we've been accepted at last.
The inside of the ant hill is huge! There are tunnels branching off of tunnels branching off of tunnels in here. Strange bioluminescent fungi cover the walls, casting everything in an ethereal glow. Gypsy's and my wings reflect the light, casting glittering shadows on the floor. I like this part of this world.
I'm taken off to what looks like the medical chamber, where Francis is having his leg bandaged. Several ants keep trying to give me a check-up, but I insist I'm fine. I don't want them realising that I've miraculously healed within seconds. It would cause too many problems.
Everyone else comes in, congratulating us both for helping save Dot. A bunch of youngsters also file in, praise Francis, name him their 'den mother' and pounce on him, which isn't the best thing for his leg. They're ushered out when they become too rowdy, as kids will be.
Atta also ushers me out, which is stupid because I'm technically one of the casualties. She looks tense, as she usually does.
"I haven't... offended you, have I?"
"You mean whole freak thing? Just look at me. I'm blue and spiky. I get called a freak a lot."
"That wasn't quite the convincing I needed. It's just... I'm sorry I thought you weren't who you said you were. When you first all arrived I thought you were just a bunch of clowns!"
Ouch. She doesn't know how right she is. We start walking. She doesn't like to stay still when she's agitated. She reminds of Amy.
"Don't tell them I said that, mind. That's all I need: another royal blunder."
"Why do you say that?"
"I know what everyone really thinks. Everyone! The whole colony! Nobody really believes I can do this job. It's like... They're all watching me. Just waiting for me to screw up... I owe you an apology."
"For what? You already apologised for calling me names."
"I want to apologise for ever thinking you weren't exactly what we needed. I'm sorry for not believing."
"Why don't you tell that to Flik? He needs it more than me. By the way, you didn't really send him off to get us, did you?"
She blanched. I hit the nail on the head first time!
"You can tell me! I won't tell Flik!"
"But, what if it gets out! That's just the royal blunder I don't need!"
"To be honest, I won't even be around long enough to tell anyone. That's my life for you. Just always moving on. I never stay in one place too long. Sure, sometimes it can be lonely, but if I stayed in one place, I'd never see anything! And I want to see it all! Flik is like that as well. I get the feeling that... he'll leave too. Unless, of course, there was a certain lady ant around to keep him here, hmm?"
I nudge Atta with one elbow. I don't get to see her reaction.
I move on again.