With the coming of dawn, Eric and Flik emerged from the anthill to start their trip to the big bug city. It was rather quiet except for the occasional chirping of the local birds. Though appreciative to be accompanied by his brother Flik could never put his finger on why Eric would help him after all those years. Flik started a brother to brother talk as the two ants made their way across the island.
"So, why did you decide to join me?" Flik asked.
"You saved the colony all those years ago, little brother. As your brother, I decided I owe you big time."
"You didn't have to do that. And what of Father? You had his approval, didn't you? Or was it enough?"
Eric hung his head and sighed. "Yes, it was true, and I liked that. But then you saved us all."
"You mean it?"
"You bet your sweet abdomen, little brother."
Just then, the clover forest cleared as the brothers arrived at the edge of the riverbed. Eric and Flik gave pause as they looked down, then out and over the horizon. Eric, who was momentarily at a loss on how to get across the canyon, looked at Flik.
"Whoa! How did you ever get across that?"
Flik pointed at a nearby dandelion. "That. Here, I'll show you," Flik said as he climbed up the dandelion's stem.
Eric narrowed one eye and raised an antenna. "Are you crazy?!"
"I've done this before. It actually works," Flik said as he grabbed a petal and took off into the air. "Come on, Eric! You've got to try this!"
"I don't know, little brother," Eric paused before climbing up the dandelion. After he reached the top, he paused again. "Well, here goes nothing," Eric said as he grabbed a petal and followed suit. Once airborne, the years seemed to lift from Eric; he forgot all his fears, and he did tricks on the dandelion fluff, spinning it in midair. "Everything is so small from up here! Woo-hoo! I'm flying!" Before long, Eric caught up to Flik in mid-glide.
The two ants gained the opposite side of the riverbed. But not without Flik stumbling off his petal as he landed and Eric flying into a rock.
"Oh!" said Flik.
"Oof!" said Eric.
"Eric! Are you okay?"
"Takes more than one lousy boulder to stop me, little brother!"
"Here, give me your hand." Flik reached down and pulled Eric onto the ledge.
Once on the other side, the brothers headed away from Ant Island on foot. The location was like a forest of giant blades of grass disappearing into hindsight. As they trekked through the tall grass, Eric remembered their conversation from earlier.
"It's a long story. But I only figured that what you've done benefited the greater good by the end of the day. Pops just doesn't understand."
"But why did you walk out on Father?"
"You want the whole story, little brother? I'll tell it to you once we reach a campsite or outpost of some sort. I'll tell you all about it then."
"Okay Eric."
Eric and Flik continued their long walk to the bug city hoping to put in as many miles as possible before sunset.