"Boy, usually we're the freaks," Francis said, earning him an elbow from Slim.
"No it's alright," Kiara laughed. "Back when I was in Victorian London, I pretended to be a freak for a little while to get by; called myself the Human Mouse." The troupe had gathered around Kiara, the other ants dissipating after having said their hellos.
"Well, I guess Flik always did have a knack for attracting colorful actors," Rosie mused.
"What do we have here!" The Former Queen strolled across the dirt plain, carrying her pet Aphie, and Cornelius following behind. She and Cornelius had something of a 'retirement shack' on the surface now, with flowers on the roof and a shallow pool. "Fancy you all paying us a visit! Did you need to hide out for a while?" She laughed heartily.
"Berry, so good to see you again," Manny said, and he and Gypsy both gave the former queen and Cornelius kisses on each cheek.
"Ah finally, here comes the rest of the royal welcome," PT said, nodding to Queen Atta and her court descending the hill.
"It's great seeing you all," Queen Atta said. Dr. Flora and Francis greeted each other, as did Slim and Mr. Soil. "Did you all have a safe journey?"
"Ja! Vhy vouldn't ve?" Heimlich asked. "By za vay, vhere is Flik?"
"Oh he's probably in his lab," Kiara said. "He's so kind, he's works all day and night for my sake." Out of the corner of her eye, Atta grimaced. "I'll go get him."
"Ah no that's okay we can send someone—" Queen Atta tried to intervene, but Kiara had already turned on heel and scurried back up the ant hill. Atta let her hand fall.
"Is something going on?" Slim asked.
"You're fired?" Tuck and Roll inquired.
Queen Atta sighed. Dr. Flora said, "It's a bit of a delicate situation."
"Embarrassing, I think you mean," Queen Atta turned. "She told you how she's from the future, right? Well, Flik has been trying to build a time machine to get her home."
"Is that even possible?" Manny asked.
"If anyone can do it, Flik can. Kiara keeps checking on his progress, and that would be fine if that was all it was. But…"
"But?" Gypsy implored.
Kiara's bare feet pitter-pattered down the winding root staircase. Flik's lab had been placed in the most stable part of the ant hill, and the furthest from every other structure. There were several warning signs for explosions, bad smells, and other hazards along the way. The lab itself looked cluttered, although Flik would assure anyone he knew exactly where to find anything he needed.
Flik's newest project dominated the middle of the floor. Several leafboards stood covered in equations, numbers, and shapes. Flik stared at one leafboard, tapping his chin with a splinter of charcoal he held. Kiara held her breath as she crept up behind him.
"Surprise!" She hugged him tight around the middle.
"Gah!" With a laugh Flik disentangled himself and took a step back. "Kiara, did you need something?"
"Did I scare you?" She folded her hands behind her back, rolling on her heels.
"Yes, very much. Did you need something?"
"PT's circus is back!" She wrapped herself around his arm, already pulling him towards the exit.
"Really?" He stumbled to keep up.
"C'mon, let's go see them!" She grinned as she trotted, ignoring the glances from others as they passed.