Rayman Legends Adventures in A Bug's Life/Transcript

It was a bright and sunny summer day at a dry riverbed near a grassy field.  There was barely any water left, for the hot season had dried most of it up.  But at a nearby island surrounded by the dried up riverbed, it was a big day for its inhabitants.  Covered with tall grass and a single tree, this island had been the home to a colony of ants, who every year gathered food and stacked it on a stone on the edge of the island.  Some ants climbed up the grass stems, picked food and dropped it down to their fellow ants below.  The ants on the ground caught the food and carried it in a single file line, entering a clearing and heading for a stone with a large leaf, containing a large amount of food.  This stone, standing on an edge of the island, was where the ants stored food each season.  This years, the ants had gathered an extraordinary amount of food.  From grains, to berries, to grapes, this pile of food reached a decent height.  The gatherer ants continued their jobs while other ants minded their own business. As the line of ants marched to the stone, one ant spotted a shadow moving across the ground. He looked up and gasped. A leaf was falling from the overhead tree. "Oh, dear, oh, dear," he shivered before the leaf landed in front of him, separating him from the line in front of him, "I'M LOST!! Where's the line?"
The ants behind him stopped and saw the leaf themselves. They started panicking as well. "Let's go!"
"WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!"
"HEEELLLPPP!!!"
"We'll be stuck here forever."
But as the ants stood where they were, one ant, Mr. Soil, approached them and said, "do not panic. Do not panic. We're trained professionals. Now stay calm. We're going around the leaf."
"A-around the leaf," asked one of the ants, "I-I don't think we can do that."
"Oh, nonsense," said Mr. Soil, "that's nothing compared to the twig of 93."
Mr. Soil gestured for the line of hesitant ants to come towards him. "That's all, that's all. Well," said Mr. Soil as he guided the ants around the leaf, "you're fine. That's fine! You will! Look at my eyes! Don't look at the line. And here's the line again."
The ants walked across the leaf and resumed their march towards the food stone upon seeing their path unblocked. "Thank you," said one of the ants, "thank you, Mr. Soil."
"Good job, everyone," said a proud Mr. Soil.
Alongside Mr. Soil was another ant, Dr. Flora, the medic of the colony. "Oh, my heavens, there's a big gap, Mr. Soil. Shouldn't we warn the queen?"
"I don't think we need to get the queen involved in this," said Mr. Soil, "she has enough on her plate already; training her daughter."
"Oh, yes, Princess Atta," said Dr. Flora, "the poor darling."
Near the food stone, some ants shaded the queen of the colony and her daughter Princess Atta from the bright sun. While the Queen was calm and petting her pet aphid Aphie, Atta was pacing hesitantly back and forth. "Oh, the winds have calmed down," she said hesitantly, "they'll be here soon."
"Just be confident, my darling," said her mother, "you'll be fine."
Suddenly, Atta spotted the gap in the line and freaked out once more. "AH!! There's a gap. THERE'S A GAP IN THE LINE," she lamented, "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?!"
"Everything's fine, Your Highness," said Thorny, an ant who was counting the food gathered on the stone with his clipboard as he consoled Atta, "gaps are happening. We just lost a few inches, that's all."
"Oh, alright," said Atta, who calmed down.
Atta hesitantly hovered above Thorny, trying to look at his clipboard and see how much was put on the stone. "Your Highness, I can't count if you get high like this," said Thorny.
"Oh," said Atta, who swiftly got back on the ground, "sure. I'm sorry. Go ahead."
"Guys, go shade someone else for a while," said the Queen to her servants, "alright, Atta. Now what have we done?"
"Uh...oh, don't warn me, I know this, I know that, what is this," she asked herself.
"We're resting."
Atta chuckled hesitantly. "That's right."
"Oh, it'll be fine. It's the same year after year. They come, they eat, they leave. It's our lot in life. It's not a lot, but it's our life," said the Queen before turning to Aphie and putting her on the ground, "isn't it, Aphie? Oh, you're such a cute little aphid."
Suddenly, the ground underneath Aphie moved and burst apart. Out came two young ants, who were trying to get away from someone. "Ditch Dot!"
"Yes, yes!"
"HEY, COME BACK HERE," shouts Dot, Atta's younger sister as she tries catching up to the two.
Like Atta, Dot also had wings and tried getting airborne. She managed to get off the ground, but wasn't able to fly efficiently. As she landed on the ground, the Queen scolded her. "Dot!"
"Yes, Mum," asked Dot, who was guilty.
"What did I warn you about trying to steal?"
"Not before my wings grow up," said Dot dryly.
"Right."
"But Mum..."
"Dot, you're a queen ant and your wings are to small to be..." said Atta.
"I was speaking to Mum," complained Dot to Atta, "you're not the Queen yet, Atta."
"Now, Dot, be nice to your sister," said Queen.
"It's not my fault she's so stressed out," said Dot.
Atta moaned and said, "I know, I know. I always act like the heavens are falling."
"WATCH OUT," shouts Mr. Soil.
Suddenly, before Atta could see what was going on, a stem came out of nowhere and landed right on Atta. Mr. Soil, Dr. Flora, Thorny and Cornelius, Thorny's elderly friend, approached Atta with worry. "ATTA! PRINCESS ATTA!!"
Everyone looked and saw an arm-like fashion gripping onto a grass blade. Another mechanism started sawing the blade a few inches below the arm. These were belonging to a strange, but operational invention that was being used by another ant. The grass blade was sawed off the stem and the ant pulled the stem forward, collecting all the grain attached to it and putting it in a wagon attached to the machine. With the grain stripped off, the ant pulled a switch and the stem was sent flying towards the clearing, unintentionally landing on Atta again. "HEY," shouts Dr. Flora, "STOP THIS!!"
"What are you planning to do here," added Mr. Soil.
"You're going to murder someone here."
The ant, seeing that his grass stem had been landing on Atta, swiftly became shocked himself and rushed to her aid. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Thorny, Cornelius and Mr. Soil saw him coming, but became annoyed, for they knew whom this guy was. "Oh, it's Flik," complained Thorny.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm very sorry, please forgive me, I'm sorry," said Flik as he helped move the stem off Atta.
Atta coughed for air as Flik recognized that the stem landed on her. "Princess Atta," he exclaimed.
"Flik, what are you doing here," asked Atta, who pulled herself together.
"Oh, oh, this? This is my new idea for grain harvesting. No more picking individual kernels, where you can just cut all the stock," said Flik as he showed Atta his invention, the harvester.
"Flik, we don't have time for that," said Atta, who was annoyed.
"Exactly," said Flik, "we never have time to collect food for ourselves, as we spend all summer harvesting for the offering, but my invention will speed up production."
"Augh, another invention," complained Atta.
"Yes, and I have something for you as well," said Flik as he started making another invention with a blade of grass.
"Flik..."
"Since you're going to be queen soon, you can use it to overheat production," said Hiccup, who then took a tiny drop of water from Dr. Flora's flower, "Dr. Flora, if I may."
Thorny and Cornelius frowned at Flik as he began introducing his new idea to Atta. "What?"
"Oh, very good," commented Atta hesitantly.
"Just an ordinary blade of grass and a pearl of dew, isn't it," asked Flik.
"Flik, please..."
"False. It actually is," said Flik as he put the dew in the big end of the invention, "....A TELESCOPE!!"
Dot and Queen chuckled at Flik's behavior. "That's very smart, Flik," said Atta hesitantly.
"Hello, Princess," said Flik as he looked at Atta through the telescope, "my, aren't you lovely this morning? Of course, you wouldn't need a telescope to see this."
Having seen enough, Thorny took the telescope and tossed it aside before shouting at Flik. "ALRIGHT, LISTEN! Princess doesn't have time for that. You wanna help us build this fact? Then get rid of that machine, get back in line, AND CHOOSE GRAIN LIKE EVERYBODY!!"
"Like everyone else," added Cornelius.
"Please, Flik, go ahead," suggested Atta.
"I'm sorry, I was really just trying..." Flik tried negotiating before getting pointed towards the grass forest by Thorny and Cornelius again, "....trying to help."
Flik slowly headed toward the grass as everyone watched. But while Atta, Mr. Soil, Thorny, Dr. Flora and Cornelius frowned at Flik with disapproving eyes, Dot felt bad for Flik. She looked at the telescope, which landed near her feet. "Harvester," commented Cornelius, "why, we've harvested the same fashion since I was a nymph."
Atta moaned as she and the others went back to their business. As for Dot, she took the telescope and ran after Flik. Back with Flik, he walked a distance from the clearing, but stopped until he heard Dot calling for him. "HEY, FLIK," she called, "Flik, wait up!"
"Oh...hello, Princess," said Flik silently.
"You can call me Dot," said Dot as she offered Flik his telescope, "here. You forgot that."
"Thanks, you can keep it. I can do another one."
"I love your invention," said Dot.
"Truly? Well, you're the first one," said Flik, "I'm starting to think that nothing I'm doing is working."
"That works," said Dot as she looked through the telescope.
"Awesome," said Flik dryly, "a hit. I'll never warn the difference."
"Me neither," said Dot, "I'm a royal ant, and I can't even fly yet. I'm too small."
"Being small isn't such a bad fact," said Flik.
"Yes, that is," said Dot.
"No, it's not."
"Is as well."
"Is not."
"Is as well."
"Is not."
They kept this argument coming, but it was brief. Flik swiftly thought for a moment before having an idea. "A seed...I...I need a seed."
Flik turned to the back of his invention and tried reaching for one of the grains. But as he tried reaching, he spun himself around in circles. Flik moaned with frustration. "Here," said Flik, unwilling to waste time, "here."
Flik took a small rock and gave it to Dot. "Pretend, pretend that it's a seed."
"It's a rock."
"Oh, I know it's a boulder, I know, but let's pretend it's a seed. We're going to use our imaginations," said Flik before turning to the tree, "now, do you see our tree? All that makes this giant tree is already contained inside that tiny little seed. All it needs is a little weather, a little sun and rain and that's it!"
Dot looked at the rock and was yet confused. "This rock will be a tree?"
"From seed to tree, you have to work with me, alright," said Flik as he knelt down to Dot, "alright, you might not feel like you can do something big now...well, it's just because....well, you're not a tree yet. You just have to give yourself some time. You're yet a seed."
Dot, yet not understanding, said, "but it's a rock."
"I KNOW IT'S A ROCK," shouts Flik, "DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW A ROCK IF I SEE A ROCK?! I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AROUND ROCKS!!"
"You're weird...but I like you," said Dot as she took the telescope.
"SARABI!!"
Suddenly, everyone heard a loud trumpet-like fashion. Flik and Dot recognized this sound and became shocked. "There they are," Flik gasped.
As for the other ants, they heard the sound and became shocked as well. On the tree, two ants were blowing into a trumpet made out of a snail shell. Understanding what was going on, the ants began scurrying around in a panic. "THERE THEY ARE!!"
"MUM, WHERE ARE YOU," cried Dot as she ran to her mother.
Flik started following her, but his invention got stuck in a blade of grass, sending him flying backwards. The other ants ran in separate directions, frantically panicking over the visitors. "DOT," called Queen, "DOT!!"
"MUM," cried Dot as she rushed through the panicking crowd of ants, "MUM!!"
"Thank heavens," said Queen as she hugged her daughter.
"A line," said Atta, trying to calm everyone down, "from the food to the stone of offering."
But Atta's efforts were in vain. Queen let out a whistle that stopped everyone. "Alright, everyone," she instructed, "one line; food to the offering stone and into the anthill. NOW LET'S GO!!"
The ants followed the queen's orders, put their food on the offering stone and rushed to the anthill in a single file line. They got into the anthill and went down a spiral path leading underground. Underneath the ground was a huge series of pathways and caverns. This was like a secret lair for the ants and a place where they could hide in times of danger. They rushed into the council chamber, and settled down. Outside, Atta guided the remaining ants into the anthill. "C'mon, keep going, keep going," she said before turning to the offering stone and seeing if there was anyone remaining outside, "alright...that's everybody."
Atta flew into the anthill to meet up with the rest of the colony, unaware that Flik was the only ant left outside. "HEY," he shouts, "HEY, WAIT FOR ME!! Bring the food to the offering stone and into the anthill."
Flik started heading into the anthill while he rushed to the offering stone. Unable to put the grains on the stone one-by-one, Flik detached his invention and dropped it on the stone, near the food leaf. But the harvester, yet running, slowly slid to the side of the stone and fell away. One of the mechanisms burst out, hitting one of the tiny rocks holding up the stone. This caused the stone to lose balance and come smashing down. Flik heard the smash and turned around. To his horror, the food was sliding down the stone and into the riverbed. "AAH," he shrieked as he watched the food slide over the edge of the island, "NO! NONONONONONO!! NO!!!"
He caught the stem of the leaf and tried pulling it back up. But this wasn't working well. There was nothing to catch hold of to keep himself from sliding down. Every last bit of food slid off the leaf. Flik looked and saw the last piece of grain falling into a tiny part of the river that hadn't dried up yet. Flik stood, fully shocked at what had become of all the ants' hard work. Flik looked himself and became even more horrified. "Oh, dear," he said hesitantly before frantically rushing towards the anthill, "PRINCESS ATTA! PRINCESS ATTA," he growled in frustration before shouting out an enraged "PRINCESS ATTA!!"
This yell was so loud that it echoed across Ant Island. He entered the hill and rushed to the council chamber. As he ran, he heard loud plane-like fashions approaching the island. Several shadows approached the island as one figure, having noticed Flik run into the anthill, frowned as the arriving visitors surrounded the island, hearing the frustrated blue ant shout her name.
Underground, in the dark council chamber, the ants heard the plane-like fashions coming from above ground and stood silently. They were very hesitant if the visitors would come after them. Some huddled together while Atta hesitantly whispered, "they come, they eat, they go. They come, they eat, they go."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll pass. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll pass," said Flik as he rushed through the crowd before reaching Atta, "Princess Atta, there's something I need to warn."
"Not now, Flik," whispered Atta.
"But Your Highness," said Flik frantically, "it's about the offering."
"Csendes," silenced Atta.
The plane sounds ceased and everyone heard footsteps coming from above. It was as if the visitors landed on the ground. But they started complaining, and their complaints were heard from underground. "Hey, what's going on?!"
"Yes?!"
"Where's the food?"
The ants gasped upon hearing the visitors.
"What have you done," a frustrated Atta asked Flik.
The rest of the colony faced Flik, who hesitantly wheezed, "it was an incident."
Suddenly, something burst through the ceiling, alarming everyone. It was an insect foot. More insect feet came bursting through the ceiling, frightening the colony. Light shone through the holes left by the busted ceiling as the visitors came coming down underground. Upon entry, they started terrorizing the colony. The visitors were grasshoppers and they were wreaking havoc on the colony. As some flew around the room, more and more grasshoppers came in. One obese grasshopper came down and said, "BOO!! Hahahahahahaha! Where's the food?!"
Some of the ants were forced into circles as the chaos continued. But just as they were ready to get in to stop the brawl, one grasshopper landed underground, right in front of Flik and a few other ants. His presence stopped the activity and everyone turned their eyes on him. It was a tall, menacing-looking grasshopper with a scar over his right eye and a mean look on his face. He looked frustratedly at Flik and the ants. Flik and the others knew who this mean-looking insect was and were terrified. "Hopper."
Atta hesitantly stared at Hopper while Queen consoled Dot. Ignoring Flik, Hopper slowly walked towards the crowd of ants. He didn't say a single word, but his expression was one of disappointment. The ants cleared a pathway for him, unwilling to get him frustrated. Hopper stopped at a light spot and stared at the colony. "Then where is this," he whispered.
The colony, terrified of Hopper, didn't bother responding. "WHERE'S MY FOOD," demanded Hopper frustratedly.
This yell was so loud that it echoed across the room. The colony yet didn't bother responding, overcome with fear. "I-Isn't that up there," asked Atta hesitantly.
"WHAT," asked Hopper as he approached Atta.
"The food was on a sheet on the..."
"EXCUSE ME," demanded Hopper.
"Are you sure it's not up there?"
"Are you saying I'm foolish," asked Hopper.
"No," said Atta.
"Do I look...foolish...to you?"
"Let's think about the logic, alright? Let's think about that for a second," said Hopper, "if I was up there, would I be coming down here, AT YOUR LEVEL, LOOKING FOR THAT?!"
Atta didn't reply. "Why am I speaking to you," asked Hopper, "you're not like the queen. You don't smell like the queen."
"She's learning to take care of me, Hopper," said Queen.
"Oh, I see, under a new administration," said Hopper, before sternly saying to Atta, "then it's your fault."
"No, it wasn't me, it was..." complained Atta, trying to direct Hopper's attention towards Flik.
"Nuh-uh-uh," interrupted Hopper, "first rule of leadership; it's all your fault."
"Well, Hopper," said Atta, "you tried to sell me a stolen McDonald's happy meal?"
"It's a world of insects eating insects, princess," said Hopper, "one of these...facts from the circle of life. Now let me warn you how facts are supposed to work; the sun makes food grow, the ants gather the food, the grasshoppers eat the food..."
"And the birds eat the grasshoppers," interrupted the obese grasshopper cheerfully, "wait, like the one that almost ate you. Do you remember this? Do you remember that? Oh, you must've seen it."
"Molt," Hopper said, unhappy with what his fellow grasshopper was saying.
"This blue jay," Molt continued speaking to the other grasshoppers, "has him up to the middle of his throat, alright? And Hopper...Hopper's kicking and shrieking, alright? And I'm afraid, alright? I'm not going to get close, alright..."
As Molt spoke fast, Hopper approached him with disapproval. "Aw, c'mon. It's a great story," said Molt before getting pulled to the wall by a frustrated Hopper, "AYEYEYEYEYEYOW!!"
Hopper shoved Molt to the wall and said, "I swear, if I hadn't promised my mother on her deathbed that I wouldn't murder you...I would murder you."
"And trust me, no one appreciates it more than I do so," said Molt.
"Shut up," said Hopper, "I don't want to hear another word from you while we're on this island. Do you understand me?"
Molt hesitantly stayed silent. "I WARNED HIM YOU UNDERSTOOD ME," asked Hopper frustratedly.
"But how could I respond? You said I couldn't say another word," said Molt, who got hesitant again as Hopper stuffed his fist, "AH! REMEMBER MA!!"
But Hopper delivered his punch to another grasshopper behind him. Hopper calmed down and said to the other ants, "hello, I'm a compassionate insect. There are yet a few months until the rains come, where everyone can try again."
"But Hopper," said Queen, "since it's almost the rainy season, we need this time to collect food for ourselves."
"LISTEN, if you don't keep your end on the bargain, but I can't guarantee your safety, and there are insects out there that will take prey on you. Someone...could get hurt," said Hopper, who then snapped his fingers.
A loud, screech-like fashion echoed across the hallway. Everyone turned and gasped. Dot became visibly shocked as the grasshoppers cleared off, revealing another grasshopper. This one was attached to a leash being pulled by two other grasshoppers and was acting very feral and fierce-like. This was Thumper, one of the most dangerous grasshoppers of the gang. He turned to Dot and growled fiercely. Afraid of Thumper, Dot tried fleeing, but Hopper caught her and said, "what's wrong with you? Are you afraid of grasshoppers?"
Hopper, with Dot in his hands, approached Thumper. Dot whined frantically, as Thumper got closer and closer. Flik also became shocked. "Dot," he whispered.
"You don't like Thumper," asked Hopper as he got closer to Thumper.
Thumper was mere inches away from attacking the terrified Dot. But before anything serious can happen, someone shouts out, "LEAVE HER ALONE!!"
Everyone turned to the shouter. It was Flik, having seen enough of harming Dot. Hopper turned to Flik with a surprised look, but also with disappointment. Flik, seeing that he might have frustrated the more powerful grasshopper, hesitantly watched as Hopper approached him. "You love her," asked Hopper as he offered Flik Dot, "go ahead. Take her."
But Flik didn't move. "No," asked Hopper before frustratedly, but silently saying, "then get back in line."
Flik backed off towards the rest of the colony. "It seems to me that you ants are forgetting your place," said Hopper as he released Dot, allowing her to run back to her family, "then let's double....the order of the food."
The ants gasped upon hearing Hopper as he started walking towards Molt. "No, but, but, but..." begged Atta, only to be ignored.
"We'll be back...at the end of the season," said Hopper as he picked some dry skin away from Molt, "if the last...leaf...falls away."
Hopper let go of the flap of skin and it gently floated to the ground like a leaf falling off a tree. Atta looked up and saw the tree complete with green leaves, but she knew it wouldn't stay like that forever. "You ants have a nice summer," said Hopper calmly, before shouting out to his fellow grasshoppers, "LET'S RIDE!!"
The other grasshoppers got emotional and fired up their wings like motorcycle engines. With that said, Hopper flew out of the chamber. Molt laughed before flying upward, only to smash into the ceiling. Molt shook his head around before flying up the hole leading to above ground. But they turned to Flik with frustrated looks. Surrounded by frustrated faces from the ants, Flik stood silently, but hesitantly, afraid at what was going to happen to him.
Furious at Flik, Princess Atta, Mr. Soil, Dr. Flora, Thorny and Cornelius put him on trial. "Flik," Atta said furiously, "what do you have to say for yourself?"
"I'm sorry," said Flik, who was guilty, "I'm sorry for being who I am. I didn't want facts to go so badly. Especially I didn't want you to look bad, princess."
"Well, Flik, you did so."
"I was just trying to help," said Flik.
"Then help us. Don't help us," said Mr. Soil.
But Flik suddenly had an idea. "Help? Help!"
"Flik, you're doomed to a month of digging in the tunnel," said Atta.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," said Thorny, "do I need to remind you of Flik's tunnel project?"
"Helpers to help us," said Flik to himself, "that's all. We could..."
"Two days to dig him up," Thorny continued, "send him to health and ant care."
"Heavens, no," said Dr. Flora
As the groups argued amongst themselves, Flik continued thinking up his plan. "We could leave the island. The trough is now dry. We'd just have to cross the riverbed. We could get helpers. We could. Sure, we could go find helpers to help us," he muttered to himself before exclaiming, "IT'S PERFECT!!"
The groups stopped their arguing and turned to Flik. "Perfect," asked Queen, "what's so perfect?"
"Your Majesty, don't you understand? We could someone for help," said Flik as he approached Queen.
The Council Ants gasped upon hearing this idea. "Leave the island," asked Atta.
"Why, didn't I think about this? Oh, because it's suicide," said Queen.
"She's right," said Thorny, "we never leave the island."
"Never leave," added Cornelius.
"There are snakes and birds and bigger worms out there," said Thorny.
"Exactly. Bigger bugs," said Flik, "we could find bigger bugs to come here and fight and get rid of Hopper and his gang forever."
"Ridiculous," exclaimed Mr. Soil.
"Who would do such a crazy fact," asked Dr. Flora.
"I'd volunteer," said Flik, "I'd be very happy to volunteer."
Queen chuckled about this idea. "You have a lot of guts, kiddo, but no one's going to help the ants."
"At least we could try," said Flik, "oh, I could go into town. I could look there."
"If you had gone there, you'd have been in this foolish search for weeks," said Atta.
"Royal group," said Thorny.
They huddled together to discuss whether they should let Flik go. "Great idea, princess," said Thorny, "it's perfect."
"Exactly," said Cornelius.
"Wait a moment," said Atta, who was confused, "what exactly did we decide here?"
"Where that Flik can go," said Mr. Soil.
"While we continue the harvest to meet Hopper's demands," said Cornelius.
"You see if Flik is gone," said Dr. Flora.
"He can't spoil anything," said Atta, who eventually saw potential with the idea.
The Council Ants turned to Flik. "Flik, after much deliberation, we decided to.....grant your request," said Atta.
Flik, surprised to hear them agree with his plan, asked, "really?"
"Really," said Queen.
"Really," responded Atta.
"Oh, thank you, Princess. Thank you so much for this chance," said Flik as he shook Atta's hand, "I won't let you down. I promise, I promise, I promise."
"Yes, OK," said Atta, trying to urge Flik to stop, "that's it. Forget it, I'm out of here."
"Oh, I guess I should help fix some of the damage before I leave, don't you think," suggested Flik.
"NO, NO, NO," the Council Ants protested, "JUST GO, JUST GO! JUST QUIT!!"
Flik agreed with the Council Ants.
Back above ground, groups of ants were working hard to repair the holes that were left during the grasshopper visit. Using leaves and small rocks, they covered up the damage where they could get back to harvesting for the grasshoppers. As they worked, Flik exited the anthill with a leaf cap and a backpack. He looked at the ants, all of which stared at him. Flik took a deep breath before walking past them with his friends. After walking past the workers, Flik turned to them while standing on a hill. "Don't worry! The colony is in good hands," Flik announced before turning around and leaving, "farewell."
The worker ants turned to each other with grins. With Flik, he was a couple feet away from the hill, until he heard a big applause coming from behind him. Flik, feeling appreciated and content, happily said, "alright."
As he carried ahead, Flik came across two young ants hanging onto some overhead grass blades. "Hey, guys," he said, "beautiful morning, right?"
The two young ants got off their blades and walked alongside Flik. "My dad says he gives you an hour before you come back to the island weeping."
"Or now," commented Flik.
"My dad doesn't think so," said the other young ant.
"He doesn't know, does he?"
"No, he'll bet you die."
"Oh."
"Yes, he says if the heat doesn't get you, the birds will."
"Well, I think he can make it," said Dot as she approached the group.
"Nobody asked you, Your Royal Briefness."
"Yes, Dot, what have you done?"
"Hey, hey, hey," said Flik, "wait, alright? C'mon, she has a right to her opinion as well."
Everyone kept walking until reaching an edge of Ant Island. Ahead of them was a big view of the dry riverbed and the land beyond. However, the only fact standing in their road was a big cliff face. Flik looked and it was a long road down. "Then go ahead," said one of the young ants.
Flik, having another idea in mind, turned around and started climbing up a nearby dandelion. "Hey, the city's over there," said one of the young ants.
"I know," said Flik.
"You should be looking for worms, not dandelions."
"Leave him alone," said Dot, defending Flik, "he knows what he's thinking."
"That's right."
Flik took a petal and announced, "here you go. Go ahead. FOR THE COLONY, AND FOR PUSHED ANTS EVERYWHERE," before taking off.
Holding onto the dandelion petal, Flik slowly started flying across the riverbed. The wind started picking up as he held on. Below, Dot and the two young ants watched as Flik glided in the air. "Wow."
"Hey," said Flik, "heyheyhey!"
"Farewell, Flik," said Dot.
Flik slowly descended towards the ground as he continued gliding across the dry riverbed. This was quite an experience for him. It was like gliding on para-sails, except it involved dandelion petals. "Wow," said Flik, who looked down and saw the bottom of the riverbed.
The wind started picking up harder than before. Flik held on tighter to his petal as he got closer to the other side of the riverbed. The strong wind blew Flik's petal around, and Flik saw Ant Island. "GOOD LUCK, FLIK," Dot called.
"FAREWELL," replied Flik.
He smashed into a rock. "FLIK," cried Dot.
"I'm...alright," said Flik as he got up.
As for Dot and the two ants, they watched as Flik was ready for his quest. "Your dad's right," said one of the young ants to his friend, "he's going to die."
"You just look," said Dot, "he'll get the bestest, roughest bugs you've ever seen."
Eyes locked on his victim, growling viciously, and about to attack, a frustrated rhinoceros beetle roared and reared up, intimidating his opponent. His opponent was a black widow spider, and she had a whip at her disposal. "GET BACK," she yelled as she lashed her whip.
The beetle charged towards the spider, but she was not going down without a fight. "GET BACK," she yelled again as she tried defending herself, "GET BACK, YOU HORRIBLE BEAST!!"
The beetle roared in the spider's face. "I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU," yelled the spider upset as she lashed her weapon again, "HI-YAH!!"
This time, the whip earned a direct hit on the beetle's leg. The beetle stopped his attack as he noticed where the weapon hit. "Ooh," he squirmed.
But the beetle started getting mournful. Even the spider was worried of this action. "Oh, my heavens," she said concernedly.
The beetle, in pain over the injury on his foot, started weeping. He leaned onto his back as the spider rushed to his side. This activity of the beetle attacking the spider was part of a circus act, a circus act that went horribly wrong. As the spider rushed to the beetle's side to console him, the audience started booing at her. "Oh, dear," she muttered.
The audience members were flies and they did not like where this act was going. "Oh, I'm very sorry, Dim," said Rosie the spider.
"Owie, owie, owie," cried Dim as he sobbed.
"An owie? Please show Rosie the owie," said Rosie like a consoling mother as she looked at Dim's hurt foot, "alright, Dim, it's alright."
As Rosie consoled the weeping beetle, some of the flies flew out of the circus in fury. This circus was owned and run by P.T. Flea, a flea who was not very fortunate with where his circus was going. "I've been to exterior bathrooms that didn't smell so bad," said one of the flies.
"This is ridiculous," said another, "what a disappointment."
In the circus tent, P.T. Flea was frantically watching some of his audience leave. "NO," he cried.
"You, come here," said a frustrated fly, "I want my money back."
"Huh, no refunds after the first two moments," said P.T. before jumping backstage.
"Popcorn," announced one of the servers, "old popcorn."
Backstage, a ladybug stood with his obese caterpillar companion. P.T. Flea appeared before them and said, "we're losing the audience. You clowns get out now!"
The ladybug went onto stage, but the caterpillar complained, "I hate acting on an empty stomach."
"Do your acting, Heimlich, where you can eat," scolded P.T.
"P.T., what's the use," asked a nearby stick bug.
"Not now, Slim," said P.T., not letting an argument.
"What's the use of going there," asked Slim, "they'll just laugh at me."
"That's because you're a clown," exclaimed P.T.
"No," corrected Slim, "it's because I'm a prop. You always play me like the broom, the pole, the stick...a splinter."
"You're a silver cane," said P.T., "THIS IS FUNNY! NOW GO!!"
"You parasite," Slim muttered to himself.
Slim got onstage to meet up with his fellow performers. As a tarantula played the drums, two fireflies shone their bottoms like searchlights on the performers. Slim and the ladybug were acting like flowers. "Tra-la-la-la-la. Spring's in the air, and I'm a flower," said Slim dryly, "there's nothing interesting to say."
"Aah," the ladybug shrieked.
"A bee," said Slim dryly as Heimlich the caterpillar appeared, dressed as a bee.
"I'm a cute little bumblebee," said Heimlich, who then started chasing the flower performers, "here I come!"
The flower performers slowly ran from their pursuer. "Calm down, you flowers," said Heimlich before spotting something in the audience that got him emotional, "oohhhh!!!! Candy corn!"
Heimlich was focused on a fly's candy corn. "YES!! CANDY CORN," he shouts with emotion and rushes to the candy.
"That's a deliberate mind, you monkey-faced little rum pot," said Slim.
"Let me help you finish it," Heimlich suggested, only to get buzzed away by one of the flies.
Back with Slim and the ladybug, they keep performing, but one fly notices the ladybug and shouts out, "hey, Judy, wanna pollinate with a real bug?"
His partner laughed at that comment. The ladybug turned to the two flies and slowly flied towards them with a grin. "Ooh, come to Daddy," one of the flies commented.
But the ladybug throws away his flower prop and shouts at the flies, causing them to notice something they are least expecting. "WELL, FINE!! Being a ladybug automatically turns me into a girl. IS THAT IT, PLAYBOY? RIGHT?!"
This ladybug wasn't a lady at all. "YIKES," exclaimed one of the flies, "SHE'S A GUY!!"
"Francis, leave them alone, they have poop heads," said Heimlich, who was munching on the candy corn as he watched alongside Slim.
"Not again," complained P.T., who jumped out of the tent to find more of his performers.
"Judging by your breathing, you must've been whizzing around in a pile of manure all day," said Francis aggressively.
"C'mon, Francis," said Slim, trying to calm Francis down, "you're making the worms weep."
Outside, a beautiful gypsy moth spread out her wings and looked at herself in a mirror. P.T. appeared and said to the moth, "alright, we're dying there. Gypsy, faster, you and Manny are....."
"Csendes," said Gypsy, "he's in a trance."
Gypsy gestured towards her husband, Manny a praying mantis, meditating like a shaman baboon. "Well, GET HIM OUT OF HERE," shouts an impatient P.T., "you and your husband are already awake."
"Manny," said Gypsy before turning to Manny, "we're on."
"Oh, yet again," said Manny as he got up and headed to the tent, "it's up to me to rescue the performance. Gypsy, c'mon."
Gypsy continued looking at herself in the mirror, while Manny incidentally smashed into some circus props. "The stage is the other side, darling," said Gypsy.
"Yes, of course."
"ANYTIME, FRIEND," Francis yelled at the flies, "I'M GOING TO PICK THE HAIRS ON YOUR HEAD, ONE BY ONE!!"
"Take your best shot," snapped the fly.
"YOU NAME THE PLACE!!"
"Oh, yes?!"
"YES, IF YOU ARRIVE, YOU ARE DEAD," yelled a really upset Francis.
"Francis, let me handle this," said Slim, trying to stop him from attacking the flies, "that's no fashion to speak to a lady."
"I heard that, you stick," complained Francis.
"Ah, ladies and gentlemen," announced P.T. as he stood near a gong, "allow me to present, Manto the magnificent and his lovely assistant, GYPSY!!"
P.T. hit the gong as the stage was filled with blue light. "From the most mysterious regions of uncharted Asia, I present to you the Chinese cupboard of metamorphosis," Manny announced as Gypsy flew into a Chinese food box.
Backstage, P.T. announced to the rest of the circus troupe, "Rosie, entire troupe, on stage, finale now."
Rosie, who was about to put a bandage on Dim's foot, said, "alright, I just need a little time to..."
"NOW," demanded P.T.
"Alright, hold on," said Rosie, who started heading onstage with Dim, "Tuck, Roll, let's get going, guys, we're next."
Two pill bugs, Tuck and Roll burst up and started chatting to each other. These two didn't speak English, nor did they seem to understand the language. The two pill bugs chatted with each other, annoying Rosie. "Don't you understand we're awake?"
Tuck and Roll delivered a random, non-English phrase and jumped on each other, doing a brief act. "Wait, they don't understand me," said Rosie as she exited backstage.
"I summon the voice of Confucius..." Manny continued on stage.
"GET OFF THE STAGE, YOU OLD HACK," shouts one of the flies.
This insult frustrated Manny. He broke his act and turned to the audience. "I demand to know who said that."
But all Manny got was a berry to the face. The flies laughed rudely at the mantis. "How dare you guys," complained Manny, who only got more berries thrown at him, "ungrateful."
Frustrated, Manny left the stage, leaving Gypsy confused and on her own. "Manny? Manny!"
"I only have twenty-four hours to live and I'm not going to waste it here," said a fly to his fellow audience member, "let's go."
The remaining flies started flying out of the tent. This caused P.T. to exclaim in fear. "Oh, I'm almost fed up with these losers," he complained to himself as he swiftly went backstage and picked a match.
With the match in his hand, he got to center stage and announced, "FLAMING DEATH!!"
The flies stopped and turned back to P.T. "I have in my hands the match...the match that decides whether two insects live or die tonight," said P.T.
The flies watched as P.T. presented what was going to happen. "In a moment, I'm going to light this trail of matches leading to a sheet of fly paper soaked in lighter fluid," said P.T. as he showed the trail of matches leading to a sheet of flypaper that was being squirted fluid by Heimlich and Francis, "aimed directly at the fly paper, they're TUCK AND ROLL!!"
Tuck and Roll flew off a trapeze prop and landed near a cannon. "The pill-bug cannonballs," continued P.T., "the cannon will be triggered by Dim, trained to jump to the sound of this bell, set to leave fifteen seconds."
P.T. showed Dim on a high platform, ready to jump, but Manny and Gypsy were ready to start a timer. The flies were getting more curious of this act. "Our bedbugs' only hope of survival is our tightrope lover, ROSIE," P.T. continued.
Rosie was on a higher platform and she waved to the audience, though she was mostly hesitant at the welfare of Tuck and Roll. "Tuck to a line of web at exact length," P.T. continued, showing the audience two posts that stood near the trail of matches, "Rosie is going to plummet to these two posts, weaving a web of safety, AT LEAST...THAN FIFTEEN SECONDS!!"
The flies grinned about this act. "Not good enough, you say? Well, what if they were all....." said P.T., who swiftly lit his match with fire, "BLINDFOLDED!!"
With that said, everyone, from Tuck to Roll, to Rosie, to Dim, to Manny, Gypsy and the tarantula musician, put blindfolds on. "Ladies and gentlemen, I can suggest that these of you with reconstitutions leave the arena," suggested P.T., "because this act is so dangerous, that if the smallest fact goes wrong..."
But before P.T. could finish, he was suddenly knocked off by Tuck, who got punched off by Roll after an argument. The match landed on the trail of matches and the fire started traveling down the line. "NO," cried P.T.
"GO," cried Rosie, thinking that was her cue and jumping down to swiftly make the web, "alright, through the tunnel...."
Tuck, who yet had his blindfold on, carelessly walked backwards, bumping into Manny and alarming him. He bumped into the clock, incidentally knocking Gypsy away and incidentally making the clock hit 15 seconds and go away. Thinking that was his cue, Dim jumped off his platform and landed on the cannon, intended to shoot Tuck and Roll onto the flypaper. Roll, who was trying to get into the cannon, was launched out and hit P.T., sending him flying. "DONE," exclaimed Rosie as she completed her web.
But P.T. flew right through it and landed on the flypaper. Slim, Heimlich and Francis became shocked. "P.T.," exclaimed Francis.
P.T. pulled his head off the flypaper and looked at Rosie and Dim, both realizing that the act was going wrong. The fire continued to get closer to the flypaper, causing P.T. to panic. As he attempted to get himself free, Slim, Heimlich and Francis frantically ran all over the place, trying to find a fashion to stop the fire. "We need some water," said Slim, panicking.
"Water, water, water, water, water, water," said Heimlich as Francis incidentally smashed into him and Slim tripped on him, trying to find water.
This act made the flies burst into laughter. As for P.T., he continued to get himself free from the sticky flypaper. He managed to get both of his hands free and he tried shoving his rear off the flypaper. "Get me outta here," he said frantically as the fire crept closer and closer.
P.T. gave one final tug and he was eventually free. He landed safely on the ground. "Hehehehe," he chuckled in victory.
But as soon as he was free, the flypaper slowly descended to the ground, covering him and the fire. As a result, the flypaper burst into flames. The flies watched as the big fire engulfed the flypaper and P.T. They were very impressed by this act, even though it went horribly wrong. The fire subsided and P.T. stood there, yet alive, but not moving a muscle. He was burned all over. The rest of the troupe approached P.T. as Rosie said, "it's the web, I'm sorry. It's..."
"You're all fired," said P.T.
The troupe was taken aback, shocked that their boss was firing them for the incident. Suddenly, Slim, Heimlich and Francis came running to P.T. with balls of water. "WE HAVE THE WATER, P.T.!!"
They tossed their balls of water on P.T. and he floated around like a small object with no gravity pulling on him. As for the little audience that remained, they were impressed by the Flaming Death Act and were cheering. "WOAH! BURN HIM AGAIN!!"
With the circus performance over, the two fireflies rolled up the poster with the circus troupe and flew to another side of the tent. A couple meters away from the circus tent was a trailer and a truck. As night fell, fireflies flew around the tall grass that surrounded the trailer. Near a light bulb, two flies flew nearby, but one was presented to the light. "NO, HARRY, NO," cried the fly who wasn't pleased, "DON'T LOOK INTO THE LIGHT!!"
"I can't help it," said the other fly as if he was possessed, "it's so beautiful."
The light zapped him and he was sent flying to the ground. He landed in a can as Flik appeared, having traveled a really long distance from Ant Island. "Try not to look like a country beetle," said Flik, "meddle. Meddle."
Flik proceeded towards the city. He headed down an alleyway, past a few bugs going all over the place. He stopped as a giant, long-legged spider slowly walked above him. He watched the spider walk before turning his attention to a series of tall buildings and insects. This was incredible. It was just like New York City, only that it was dominated by bugs and the buildings were food boxes. "Wow," said Flik, who was amazed, "the city."
He proceeded deeper into the city, amazed by all the sights. Above him, a firefly stuck his light in a red Christmas light, before going to a green light and lighting it. Suddenly, Flik found himself surrounded by passing bug traffic. Thinking fast, he rushed to a sidewalk, where he saw more bugs minding their own business. "Make all the stops at the septic tank, including standing water, empty bean cans and dead rat," said a tour guide, "watch out for your spines. All aboard!"
Flik, yet amazed by the sights, wasn't focusing on what was around him. Some insects got too close to him, while others started pushing him around. As for Flik, he was being overwhelmed himself.
"Woah!"
"Hey, check it out!"
"Oh, I'm sorry!"
"Get out of the road!"
"Ouch," complained a snail as Flik incidentally bumped into one of his eyes, "watch out where you're going."
"I'm sorry, I didn't want this, I didn't want to....."
As for Flik, he managed to push himself out of the crowd, but he tripped and landed near a poor cricket that had a sign saying, "boy pulled my wings away." "Ah, oh, I'm sorry," said Flik as he incidentally wandered too close to him, "I'm really, really sorry, it was an...an incident."
Suddenly, Flik heard some glass breaking and some rough voices. They were coming from a nearby giant soda can, and near the entrance was a bee, fighting with a fly. "Hey, let go of me," complained the fly.
"I'll show you who the boss is," shouts the bee before kicking him out of the can, "and stay outside!"
Thinking this could be his response, Flik got emotional. "Rough customer," he said before rushing to check it out.
He made it to the entrance and was amazed. It was a bar where bugs were having meals. "Wow," said Flik.
"Move it," shouts a fly, who shoves Flik out of the road.
All around the Bug Bar, bugs were chatting amongst each other.
"Hey, waiter, I'm in my soup!"
"I've been training. Feel my wing."
"Yo, dude! Two black flags over here."
"Alright. Hair with the dog you bit."
"Hey, who wanted the poop recorder?"
"Here you go, sprout. Have fun!"
"OWOW! WAIT, I DIDN'T SAY SALT!!"
Flik took off his hat and backpack before speaking to the bugs in the bar. "Excuse me, sir, I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment. I represent an ant colony. I'm looking for rough bugs, you know, mean bugs. Bugs that..."
As Flik began speaking to the bugs in the bar, not far away, the circus troupe sat at their own table. They were all disheartened over what just happened at the circus. "Fired from a flea. How humiliating," said Slim.
"Let's be honest," said Francis, "we stink."
"You're fired!"
"You're finished!"
"You lose!"
"Oh, will you shut up," complained Rosie, annoyed with Tuck and Roll's chatting.
"You're completed," the pill bugs said together, irritating Rosie more.
"One day I'll be a beautiful butterfly, and then everything will be better," said Heimlich as he munched on his food, while getting patted on the back by Manny, who agreed with him.
"I can't believe the troop will break up," said Gypsy, "we were always together."
"Farewell, my friends," said Manny as he lifted his ball of water.
"For the audience we never have," said Francis as he and his friends raised their balls of water into the air, making a somber toast.
Slim took a drink from his water ball as he looked at the entrance of the bar. But to his shock, the two flies that Francis fought with earlier appeared. He gasped and whispered to Francis, "Francis, your circus friends are here."
Francis turned and saw the flies himself. But they weren't alone. "There she is," one of the flies said upon noticing Francis, "let's go."
Francis turned away, trying to ignore them, but the flies flew towards the table to meet up with the ladybug.
The two flies landed near Francis. "Hi there, girly bug."
"Get out of here, don't bother me," said Francis.
"Say, why don't you warn our buddy Thud," said the other fly as Thud, the muscular fly, landed right behind Francis, alarming everyone, "what you warned me in the circus."
"Yes, you're not the one who said we were floating around on a dung heap," said the other fly.
Thud growled at Francis. Back with Flik, he continued his search for help. "Excuse me," said Flik to a mosquito, "hi, we represent an ant colony and we're..."
"Hey, bartender," said the mosquito to the bartender, "Bloody Mary, O-positive."
The mosquito was given a huge drop of blood and he sucked it up like a vacuum. Upon completing, he was fat and he collapsed. "Sir," asked Flik.
Back with Francis, he was yet being tormented by the flies. "'Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home,'" the two flies sang mockingly.
"Not so hard, right," said one of the flies, "alright clown, get up and fight like a girl."
“Get ready for the Robin Hood act,” Francis whispered to Slim and Heimlich.
“Oh, I want to be Little John,” said Heimlich with emotion.
“What role can I play,” asked Slim.
Back with Flik, he was yet trying to find tough bugs.  “You see, we’re looking for hardened, warrior beetles.”
Before they could get a response, he heard Francis and turned around.  “Stand back, you're flying,” he said, getting everyone’s attention, “we're the biggest warriors in the enitre world.”
“Warrior beetles,” commented Flik, thinking he found the warriors for the colony.
But before he could muster, Francis continued the act.  “My sword,” he said while using Slim like a sword.
“Swish, swish, clang, clang,” Slim dryly said.
“Little John,” called Francis.
Heimlich, dressed as Little John, appeared with his props.  “What ho, Robin?  Justice is my sword and truth shall be my quiver.”
The crowd of bugs backed off as Heimlich swung his sword around.  The crowd pushed Flik out of the bar.  “No, wait, I wanna watch this.”
“Push, parry, fall,” commented Slim.
But Thud caught Slim by the neck and growled in his face.  “I think it doesn't work,” said Slim.
With that said, the circus troupe panicked and ran to the side of the can.  “Back to Sherwood Forest,” exclaimed Heimlich, “faster, faster!”
Thud lost his grip on Slim as facts started getting hectic in the bar.  “What’s going on in there,” exclaimed Flik, trying to see what was going on in there.
The troupe ran up the wall of the bar, and it became loose.  As a result, it started rolling across the ground.  Flik watched in shock as the bar rolled towards a wall.  Inside the bar, the troupe kept running and running towards the side of the bar as tables and bugs started going all over the place.  The bar kept rolling and rolling until eventually, it smashed into a wall.  Flik rushed to the bar, as the troupe started recovering.  “Help, help, get me out,” muttered Slim who was stuck underneath some tables.
Flik reached the bar and watched as Francis pulled Slim free.  There, he stood like a brave warrior, as he stood above a table above piles of unconscious bugs.  Flik was astonished by this.   “Wow,” commented Flik.
Francis put Slim down as everyone tried recovering from the crazy act.  While some of them moaned over minor injuries, Flik suddenly remembered what jist happened on Ant Island and decided to speak with the circus troupe, who was also watching the reunions and was happy to see their friends reunite.  “YOU’RE PERFECT,” he exclaimed to the bugs before bowing to them, “oh, great, I've been looking for bugs with your exact talents.”
“A talent scout,” commented Gypsy as she and the other bugs listened, filled with curiosity.
“My colony’s in danger,” continued Flik, “locusts are coming.  We’ve been forced to stuff all this food.”
“Dinner theater,” exclaimed Manny.
“Food,” asked Heimlich.
“Please,” begged Flik, “do you want to help us?”
Before the bugs could respond Flik, they slowly turned and saw the flies getting up and looking for the troupe.  “Where are they?”
Unwilling to fight with them, they turned to Flik and agreed on his request.  “We’ll do the job,” said Slim.
“Really,” asked Flik, who was surprised.
Everyone got outside and was ready to take off.  “You can explain the details on the road,” said Slim as he put Flik on Dim’s back.
Roll also got on Dim and greeted Flik, only to get annoyed as Tuck got in the road.  “Alright, c'mon, everyone together, break your leg,” said Rosie as she got on Dim as well.
“Woah, you’re vicious,” said Flik.
The ship started flying away as Flik and the troupe watched from below.  “Hang on, Mr. Ant,” said Dim.
Dim opened up his wings and started flying.  He caught Heimlich while Francis took Slim.  Manny and Gypsy flew as well as everyone began the flight to Ant Island.  “This is amazing,” exclaimed Flik, “this is too good to be true.  HAHAHA!!”
On the grassy fields, far away from the city, the flight to Ant Island continued.  It was a beautiful day too for a flight.  While Dim, Francis, Manny and Gypsy concentrated on where they were flying, Heimlich munched on the leaves he could reach.  “So, you see it was my fault Hopper came back, but then Princess Atta, boy, she's one of a million locusts causing a big surprise,” Flik said to the bugs before laughing.
Tuck and Roll laughed alongside Flik, though they chattered to each other, confused at what he said.
Under the hot sun, back on Ant Island, the ants resumed their harvesting business. But this time, everyone was frustrated that they had to get the double the amount of food required for the grasshoppers. In addition to this stress, the heat was making the job that much harder. One ant collapsed to the ground, but Atta immediately noticed him. "Dr. Flora," she called.
"Oh, dear, not another one," said a worried Dr. Flora.
"This is insane," complained Thorny.
"Insane," added Cornelius.
"There's simply not enough food left on the island," said Thorny, "there's no fashion we could double the quota before Hopper arrives."
"Well, we have to try, Thorny," said Atta as she and Dr. Flora took the weak ant to recover, "we have no choice."
"Yes...I know."
Elsewhere, Dot sat on a clover petal, using her telescope to look for Flik. Below, the two young ants noticed her and teased her. "Hey, look who's standing guard again. Little Speck."
"The name is Dot," said Dot sternly.
"Well, Dot, are you yet looking for Flik?"
"Forget it, Dot. That loser will never come back."
Dot ignored the two and resumed looking through her telescope. But upon looking out into the distance, she saw the circus troupe approaching the island. She saw Flik riding on Dim, an indication that Flik had succeeded in his quest. "FLIK," she exclaimed, "HE DID IT! HE DID IT!!"
"WHAT," the ants below exclaimed.
"STOP PUSHING," one of them said as they tried getting to top of the petal.
The troupe saw Ant Island as they approached. "THIS IS IT," exclaimed Flik, "THIS IS ANT ISLAND!!"
"FLIK," called Dot, "OVER HERE! FLIK!! FLIK!!!"
"Look," replied Flik as he waved to Dot.
"He did it, he did it, he did it," cheered Dot as she ran after the troupe, "yes! He did it!"
"Fantastic," said the other ants before falling back to the ground.
Back in center Ant Island, Thorny and Cornelius were complaining about the many leaves that were all over the place. "At the rate these leaves are falling, we're going to need a miracle," said Thorny.
"Exactly, we need a miracle," said Cornelius.
But as they complained, they saw shadows moving towards them. They looked up and saw five big figures flying above and about to make a landing. "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES," cried Cornelius as he and Thorny ran for shelter.
The other ants dropped their food and hid for cover. One by one, each bug landed on the ground. With everyone on ground, the troupe did a completing pose. "TA-DA," exclaimed Francis.
But the area was deserted, as if all the ants retired underground again. The troupe's emotional expressions started fading away as no one responded to their presence. "Once again, our reputation precedes us," said Manny.
"Hi, everyone," Flik announced as he got off Dim, "hi, I'm back!"
The ants peeked from their hiding places to look for themselves. "Hey, guys! Hey! L-L-Look who's here with me," Flik continued.
"FLIK! FLIK!! FLIK, YOU CAME BACK," exclaimed Dot as she ran to Flik's arms, "I knew you could do it."
The ants, seeing that it was really Flik, were amazed. They really did survive this journey and had visitors alongside them. They came out of their hiding places and approached the group. The troupe greeted the surrounding ants. From the anthill, Mr. Soil noticed Flik having come back. "Flik is back," he said.
"He's back," asked Atta.
"And he's accompanied by wild insects," replied Mr. Soil.
"WHAT," asked a shocked Atta, "how? Y-You really didn't have to find anyone."
"Oh, look at this, look at this, that's great, look," said Flik as he showed the colony Gypsy's beautiful wings.
"Oh, my ticker," commented Thorny.
"Then what are you supposed to be," one of the young ants asked Slim.
"He's a stick, foolish," said the other ants, "you hit the bugs with him."
Slim chuckled before saying, "well, that's an oversimplification."
"That's right, guys," said Francis, who suddenly caught Slim, "like this."
"No, put me down," said Slim before unintentionally hitting Heimlich, "ow."
Tuck and Roll rolled towards Dr. Flora and greeted her. "Hey!"
"Damn, you just blew up there, didn't you," said Dr. Flora.
As for Dim, he was being admired by some of the young ants. They walked under Dim's belly, but Rosie expressed worry. "Uh-oh, guys. He's a little ticklish. Let's go outside," she said, "watch out."
Dim, being ticklish, started stomping his feet in laughter, intimidating the young ants and causing them to scatter. Queen appeared and congratulated Flik. "Well, my boy, you did it. Aphie and I are very impressed," she said.
Queen turned to greet Manny and Gypsy as Atta appeared on the scene. "Princess Atta," exclaimed Flik upon seeing her, "hey, guys, look, this is Princess Atta. She's the one who sent me to see you."
The troupe greeted Atta as Dot said, "Atta, Atta, do you see that big bug over there?"
"He looks absolutely fierce," said Mr. Soil.
"They're our ticket out of this mess," added Thorny.
"They arrived just in time," said Dr. Flora.
"Exactly," added Cornelius.
"Well, Princess Atta, what do you think," asked Flik, indicating a pleasant response.
But Atta was unsure. She looked at Flik. Atta turned to the Council ants and whispered, "no, no, no, no, wait! This wasn't supposed to happen."
As she whispered to the ants, Slim and Francis could sense that she wasn't approving of them. "Mayday, mayday, we're losing our jobs," Slim whispered to Francis.
"We don't fight grasshoppers," Atta whispered.
"We don't, but they will," said Thorny.
"Bingo," added Cornelius.
Francis, coming up with an idea, said to Slim, "we have to sweeten the deal," before flying onto Dim's horn and making an announcement, "Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages. Our crew here guaranteees a show like no other. Because, if your grasshopper friends get here, WE WILL KNOCK...THEM...DEAD!!"
The ants burst in applause, now confident that they could fight the grasshoppers. They waved to the ants as Slim said to Heimlich, "boy, these people are certainly in danger for entertainment."
Flik applauded along with the other ants. But Atta frowned at the troupe. Sure the troupe could be the warriors that could fight the grasshoppers, but Atta was not pleased that Flik managed to find them and come back alive. But everyone else, however, was happy to see these visitors.
A short time later, the ants put on a welcoming show for their visitors. First on the agenda was a musical performance by the ant musicians of the colony. They played on a mechanism that consisted of drums and a flute. Each ant played a specific part of the instrument as everyone watched. The troupe and Flik watched in special seats as the performance went ahead. Flik was enjoying this music and tapped to the beat. Atta watched him and sneered, yet not happy that they succeeded. "Darling, relax," said Queen, "you should be proud of yourself. Your instincts about that boy were right about the money."
Atta hesitantly chuckled at her mother, but as she turned to Flik again, she frowned with disapproval. The music performance ended and everyone applauded. "And to finish our official welcome," announced Queen, "Mr. Soil."
"Yes, Your Highness," said Mr. Soil as he got to center stage with a group of young ants, including Dot.
"He's our resident actor," said Queen to Gypsy, "he starred in the opening picnic last year."
"The children...and I...we swiftly stuffed a little presentation in honor of our guests," said Mr. Soil as the young ants approached him with a big leaf, "Dot, Reed, Daisy, Grub."
"Ooh, aren't they adorable," Gypsy said to Manny, "ooh, they're nice."
Flik waved to Dot, who swiftly waved back. "The second grade of South Tunnel Elementary School would like to introduce this to you," said Daisy as she and the others showed the visitors the leaf, which had a drawing, "a mural we drew of you bugs helping us fight off the grasshoppers."
This leaf was a drawing, but it wasn't one with the troupe performing to the grasshoppers. It was one with the troupe fighting off the grasshoppers, as if they were going through a rough battle. The troupe's happiness turned into shock. "Oh, look at the beautiful colors of the blood," said Rosie as she looked at the drawing.
"We have drawn one of you by dying because our teacher said he would've been more dramatic," said Dot as she showed them a caterpillar that resembled Heimlich split in half.
The troupe gasped and looked at Heimlich, who was having a really painful feeling. He turned slightly gray as Mr. Soil pointed towards a part of the drawing that had him fighting some grasshoppers like a kung fu warrior, something that Flik would most likely do so. "I warn you a story of such daring heroes," said Mr. Soil as he played a harp, "who defeated our once grasshopper enemies."
Mr. Soil and the children cleared off, showing everyone the upcoming play. "Look," said one of the young ants as the leaf-costumed ant collapsed to the ground, "the last leaf has fallen."
"WE ARE THE GRASSHOPPERS, WHERE'S OUR FOOD," the grasshopper portraying ants shouts.
"Who will come to save us poor ants," asked one of the performers.
"WE ARE THE WARRIORS, HERE TO DEFEND YOU," shouts the warrior portraying the ants.
The troupe was in full shock. This was not what they expected at all. The performance of these young ants might have been enjoyable and fun to watch, but it was an indication that they came to the island not to entertain grasshoppers like they hoped, but to fight them. By the time the play was reaching its end, the troupe was horrified at what was going to happen to them. Slim shield Heimlich's eyes while Manny consoled Gypsy. Everyone else watched in disturbance. "Die...die...die," Dot said before fainting herself.
The colony cheered for the performers while Francis fainted. Tuck and Roll, unable to understand English, cheered for the performers. "Thank you, thank you," said Mr. Soil as the young ants got up and bowed, "oh, thank you."
As the troupe looked at each other, Francis, Slim, Heimlich and Rosie started their own conversation, trying to think at what to do about this. "I say let's go," said Francis.
"Alright, darling, you're awake," Queen said to Atta, oblivious to the troupe's shock.
"Oh..." said Atta, about to make an announcement.
Flik, having an idea for Atta, swiftly took a blade of grass and shaped it into a loudspeaker. "Now, we're all very, very grateful to have......" Atta said before getting the loudspeaker and completing her sentence louder, "....the warriors."
Atta looked at the invention and then Flik. Flik gave Atta two thumbs up as he backed off. "Thank you," Atta said dryly before resuming her announcement, "first of all, I'd like to thank the warriors to help us in our fight against the grasshoppers. Secondly, I'd like to thank Flik for his fast thinking..."
"Thank you, Your Highness," said Flik as he took the loudspeaker to do his own speech, "oh, sure, we'd like to take credit for all of this, but...well, it wouldn't be fair, because it was you, Princess Atta."
Atta looked hesitantly at Flik, who continued his speech. "You believed in me and sent me to find me."
"Warning that ant we need to speak to him right now," whispered Francis to Rosie.
"OK, that's it," said Rosie as she approached Flik.
"Now I know I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, and I hope this will fix it..." Flik said before getting a tap on the shoulder by Rosie.
"Flik," she whispered.
"Not now, Rosie, I'm making a speech," Flik said to Rosie before assuming his speech.
Rosie moaned, got up near Flik's ear and whispered while Flik continued his speech. "Now I really believe that these insects are the response to ours..." Flik said before turning to Rosie, "no, there's no circus around here," before turning back to the crowd, "then I..."
Flik suddenly stopped his speech upon realizing what Rosie was speaking about. He turned to Rosie, Slim, Heimlich and Francis. Francis juggled with some stones and did a completing pose with his fellow circus bugs. Suddenly realizing that they had circus bugs instead of warriors, Flik gasped, his heart suddenly pounding and consoled with shock and fear. Flik swiftly tossed the loudspeaker aside as he rushed to Atta's side. "Your Highness," he said swiftly, "the warriors asked for a secret meeting to plan the circus..."
"EVASION of the oncoming hordes," added Flik, trying frantically to keep the secret intact, "where can trapeze...."
"TRAP...with ease," added Flik.
"Shouldn't I come as well," asked Atta.
"No," said Flik hesitantly as he and the troupe started leaving, "no, classified in the demilitarized zone. I have to go as soon as possible. You know, strictly buy your root beer. Farewell!"
Flik swiftly caught up to the troupe. Atta was starting to get suspicious. Why was Flik acting like this so suddenly? Some of the ants started getting suspicious themselves. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry to have to take the warriors away so soon, but you know...they have a lot to do, with the impending battle and all," said Flik as he walked through the crowd, "well, please, enjoy the feast."
Dot sneaked around the crowd of ants, trying to follow Flik. "Buy your root beer," asked a suspicious Atta.
As for Flik, he guided the troupe to the edge of the crowd. "Thanks again, bye. Farewell," said Flik before urging Dim to keep moving, "alright, just come in. Go, go, go, go!"
Dim did just that and joined the rest of the troupe. Now on his own, with no one witnessing, Flik cut to the chase. "CIRCUS BUGS," he exclaimed in shock, "how can you be circus insects?"
The troupe turned to Flik, all unhappy. "Hey, wait, you didn't say anything about murdering grasshoppers, man," said Francis, "you lied to us."
"Yes," added Heimlich.
"Are you joking," exclaimed Flik, "you know what that is? This, my friends, is false advertising."
"How dare you," said Manny as he approached Flik, "you, sir, are the charlatan of this scenario, advertising your wares as a talent scout, preying on the starving souls of unfortunate artists. Good morning to you, sir."
Manny turned and strutted away with his fellow bugs. Tuck and Roll smacked Flik across the face before rolling away. "Wait, no, no, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, you can't go," Flik said to the circus bugs as he stopped them from leaving, "you have to help me. Give me some time. I'll find a plan."
"Go warn them of the truth," suggested Heimlich.
"They can't...they can't know the truth, the truth, you see, it's bad. I'll be marked with this mistake for the rest of my life. My children's school will walk down the street and people will point and say 'look, that's the progeny of Flik, the underdog,'" Flik said frantically.
Realizing that they really were leaving, Flik started despairing. "Oh...oh, you know, well, fine. Yes, alright, just go," he said before getting on ground underneath Dim's feet, "but if only you could do me a little favor before you leave. If you could just crush me, that would be great because, uh...if they find out, I'm practically dead."
"Flik," Atta called from a distance.
Flik swiftly got up and rushed to find Atta, not letting her find out the truth. "I really think I should be a part of this meeting," said Atta, "FLIK!!"
Flik looked through the grass until eventually seeing Atta, frowning at him with suspicion. "Ah! Princess Atta," said Flik hesitantly, "what a pleasant surprise."
"Exactly," said Atta, who tried looking past the ant, "what's going on? I'd like to speak to these so-called warriors."
"You can't," said Flik, "I mean, they're in the middle of a top secret meeting right now and they really shouldn't be bothered right now. Right, guys?"
Flik turned, but saw the troupe leaving. Flik gasped in despair after realizing he was too late. "Could you just...could you excuse me, please," asked Flik, "WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, PLEASE DON'T GO!!"
"I'm not going anywhere," said an annoyed Atta as she looked for herself, "what's going on?"
But there was no one in sight. "FLIK," shouts Atta before moaning in frustration, "augh, I knew that."
Atta stormed away, while Dot, having observed the discussion, watched from a dandelion. She heard Flik and watched as he rushed to stop the troupe from leaving. "WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, PLEASE," begged Flik, "DON'T GO! NO!!"
"Faster, he's losing it," said Francis.
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO," cried Flik as he caught hold of Slim's legs, "YOU CAN'T GO! I'M DESPERATE!!"
"Really," said Slim sarcastically, "I couldn't warn."
Seeing that something was wrong, Dot decided to try and do something. "C'mon, wings," she said as she tried getting airborne, only to collapse onto a dandelion petal and go flying, "AAH!! HEEEELP!!!!"
"Mum," Atta said as she met up with Queen and the Council Ants, "Flik is up to something."
Back with Flik and the troupe, they were yet flying on the air. Flik was yet begging for the troupe not to leave. By now, they'd reached the other side of the riverbed. "Alright, Flik, it's time to get you down now," said Slim as the troupe started getting to the ground, "get him off me. He's cutting off my footprint."
Manny landed on the ground and tried pulling Flik away. "No, no, no, no," begged Flik as he held on, "please don't go."
But before he could do something, Flik spotted something nearby. "Put the stick down," said Rosie, "Flik, I'm serious. Drop the stick. Drop it!"
By now, Flik identified a bird feather nearby and a pile of eggs in a nest. Realizing what could possibly be nearby, Flik panicked again. "AAH," he shrieked as he let go and fled the scene, "RUN!!"
"Boy, he runs fast for a guy," commented Heimlich.
Suddenly, something landed right behind the troupe, giving them a fright. Everyone turned and saw a giant, red finch towering over them like a Tyrannosaurus. It screeched frustratedly, frightening everyone. "TWEET, TWEET," exclaimed Tuck and Roll, "TWEET, TWEET!!"
Not wasting another second, everyone turned tail and ran into the riverbed as fast as they could. The finch watched them run before giving chase not long after. Back on Ant Island, Atta guided her mother and the Council Ants to where she saw Flik. "This way," she said before showing them the group fleeing in the riverbed from a rock face, "there they are."
But they saw the bird flying above them and they got hesitant. "A bird," exclaimed Atta.
But as it seemed it wouldn't get worse, they heard a shriek coming from above. "AAH! FLIK!!"
They looked and saw Dot floating on the dandelion petal, very high above the ground. "Look," exclaimed Atta.
"Dot," exclaimed Queen, who became shocked.
On the dandelion petal, Dot shivered as she held on for dear life. "FLIK," she cried.
Dot heard a screech and looked ahead. To her horror, the giant finch flew right towards her. Dot was alarmed and she let go of the petal, just before the finch could catch her. But now, she was falling from a great height. "DOT," cried Atta.
"MY HEAVENS," cried Queen.
Dot shrieked as she fell from the heavens. Below, the troupe kept fleeing from the bird, but Francis spotted Dot falling and flew to catch her. "I have you," he said, "I have you. I have you, I have you."
Francis flew backwards, hoping to catch Dot. But as he flew, Francis managed to catch Dot, but both were sent falling into a crevice. Upon landing, a few rocks fell into the crevice. One rock landed on Francis' foot, crushing it and one landed on his head, knocking him out. Now, Dot was in serious danger. The finch was right above them, ready to attack, and Francis was knocked out cold. On the rock face, everyone was concerned about Dot and Francis. "I can't see," said Queen.
"Someone do something," said Cornelius.
"Are they alright," asked Thorny, "can anyone see? Are they alive?"
"I can't see," said Dr. Flora.
"What's going on?"
As the Council Ants frantically tried looking for Dot and Francis, Atta noticed a drop of water hanging from a blade of grass. Back in the riverbed, Flik and the troupe managed to get to safety. They hid behind a rock, until they suddenly heard Dot calling for help. "FLIK," cried Dot.
"Dot," exclaimed Flik.
They saw the bird flying around the crevice, trying to reach out futilely and catch the defenseless girl. "Thank heavens, they're in danger," said Manny.
"Francis, Francis, Francis, Francis, Francis, Francis, Francis, Francis..." Slim said frantically.
"You guys, I have an idea," said Flik upon coming up with a plan.
As the requested cast members started climbing down into the riverbed, Atta appeared with another telescope. "Here, I've had it," she said as she looked through it, getting a good view of the finch attack.
Back with Dot, she frantically tried awakening Francis. "PLEASE, LADY, WAKE UP, WAKE UP," cried Dot.
Her efforts didn't work, and the finch started diving down to reach them. Dot barely managed to dodge the finch's attack, and she dragged Francis further into the crevice, away from the finch. But as the finch tried attacking again, it heard a voice coming from nearby. "Yoo-hoo, Mr. Early Bird."
The finch looked and saw Slim holding Heimlich up like a bug on a stick. "How about a nice tasty worm on a stick," said Heimlich.
"I'm going to break, I'm going to break," muttered Slim.
Seeing them as easier meals, the finch started pursuing them. From the rock face, Atta watched as the finch turned its attention from Dot to Heimlich and Slim distracting the finch. Meanwhile, Flik and the rest of the troupe watched as the finch moved off of Dot. "Let's go," said Flik.
Everyone got on Dim, who started flying away to find the two damsels in distress. Everyone looked around, trying to find their friends. "There they are," said Flik.
"FLIK, HELP," cried Dot.
Flik swiftly got underneath Dim, while Manny stayed where he was. Underneath Dim, Rosie had a web ready to be lowered. "Alright," said Flik.
Rosie lowered her web to the ground, with Flik, Tuck and Roll holding on. The web reached the ground, where Dot ran to Flik. "FLIK," she cried.
"It's going to be alright, Dot," said Flik while Tuck and Roll went to Francis.
Back with the finch, it continued pursuing Heimlich and Slim. "Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo," said Heimlich, "farewell, birdie."
Slim dove into a crack, but Heimlich was too fat for the crack and he got stuck. "AAH! HELP, I'M BLOCKED," cried Heimlich as he watched the finch approach him, "PULL ME DOWN!! FASTER, FASTER, FASTER!!!"
"The caterpillar's using himself as a live bait," said Atta as the rest of the colony appeared to watch.
"What courage," commented Mr. Soil.
"AAHHHH," Heimlich shrieked as the bird was ready to strike, frightened out of his wits.
But as it seemed the finch was going to make a meal out of Heimlich, Gypsy got in the bird's road. Gypsy got the finch's attention, and she lured the beast away from her friends. As for Slim, he attempted to get Heimlich underneath the crack. "Suck it, dude," he squirmed.
Heimlich breathed in and he was pulled underneath the crack. They made a mad dash for Ant Island, while Dim flew overhead nearby. Flik and the other rescuers rode in Rosie's web while Dim flew towards Ant Island. Francis awakened and felt a lot of pain from his leg. "Ow, my leg," he complained as he opened his wings.
Francis' wings closed, incidentally cutting the web and causing everyone to fall. Tuck and Roll managed to hold onto the web and Francis. Flik, with Dot in his arms, held onto Francis' antennae. Back with the finch, it continued pursuing Gypsy, but noticed Dim, attempting to fly up to the thorn bush. It started chasing them. On the rock face, Atta gasped upon seeing the finch chase them. "The bird, the bird," she said shockingly, "watch out for the bird!"
Dot noticed the finch chasing them and cried out in grief, "FLIK!!"
Flik saw the finch himself and gasped. Tuck and Roll noticed the Ant Island wall ahead of them and warned Dim to fly upward. Flik looked at the wall and the bird, back and forth, getting frantic himself. The finch was mere inches away from catching him. Everyone landed on leaves while the finch tried reaching for them. But it didn't stand a chance against the thorny branches. Not even its talons could get past the thorns. Eventually giving up, the finch flew off. Everyone sighed with relief, now safe. Everyone started hearing an applause that started getting louder and louder. "What is that," asked Rosie.
Recognizing the sound, Manny said, "that, my friends, is the sound of applause."
They looked down and saw the colony cheering for them. The troupe grew with emotion, for they had longed for applause of some sort. This was truly a marvelous sight to see. They swiftly got down to the ground where they met up with Heimlich and Slim. "The clause," said Francis, "I'm in heaven."
The troupe were congratulated for the rescue of Dot and they settled in an underground cave. Here, Francis was given a cast on his foot. While Francis rested on his flowerbed, the leader of a troop of young ants known as the Blueberry troop spoke to the group. "Our Blueberry Squad greets you bugs for rescuing our youngest member, Princess Dot," said the troop leader, "and as a tribute to Ms. Francis, we've changed our bandanas."
The Blueberry troop turned around and revealed their new bandanas. They were light pink with black spots. These looked like ladybug wings. "We voted for you our honorary mother," said Dot.
The Blueberries happily ran to Francis and surrounded him. Francis, fully shocked that they were worshiping him like a mother, didn't know what to say. He was annoyed that he was thought of as a girl, but didn't lose his temper. Everyone else found this really funny and cute, but kept silent. Dr. Flora guided the Blueberries out of the room. "Alright, girls, let's move your little keys out of here now," she said, "your patient needs to rest, you know. Uh-huh. C'mon."
Atta was also in the room, and she looked at Flik with guilt. As the Blueberries left the room, she spoke to Flik. "Excuse me, Flik," she said, "can I speak to you for just a second?"
Flik, who was adjusting Francis' cast, turned to Atta and said, "oh, sure," unintentionally knocking Francis' cast onto the bed, hurting him.
"Again, uh...thank you all, very much," Atta said to the troupe.
The troupe thanked Atta for the nice comment. Atta and Flik left the room as Atta asked, "you don't think I've offended the warriors, do you?"
"You," asked Flik, "no."
Atta sighed with relief. "Good. As you can see, if you first brought them here, I thought you were hiring a bunch of clowns."
Flik looked at Atta hesitantly. "You did what," asked Flik as he chuckled about that idea.
"Don't warn them I said so," said Atta as she and Flik walked down the hallway, "that's all I need; another royal mistake corridor."
"Princess, you're doing a good job," said Flik.
"Thank you," said Atta, "you're sweet. You're wrong, but sweet. I know how everyone really thinks."
"I don't follow you," asked Flik.
"Citizens," said Atta as she showed Flik the member of the colony doing their business underground, "the entire colony. Nobody really thinks I can do this job. It's like...everyone's looking at me. Just...only..."
"Waiting for you to be disgraceful," said Flik, understanding where Atta was going.
Atta also felt horrible. "Flik...I owe you an apology," she said.
"For what," asked Flik.
"Well...I've not been so nice to you and...I'm sorry," said Atta. "If there's any fashion I can make it to you..." Atta said before coming up with an idea, "...hey, I know. How would you like to be the Queen's official aide to the warrior bugs?"
"Me," asked Flik.
"Oh, sure," said Atta, "you have a good relationship with them, especially after that rescue. It was very brave."
"Really," said Flik, before shrugging it away, modest, "no, no..."
"Well, not all bugs would meet a bird," said Atta, "I mean, even Hopper's afraid of them."
"Yes, yes, I guess I may have....." Flik muttered before turning to Atta and asking, "say this again?"
"I said Hopper's also afraid of birds," said Atta.
Flik rushed back to meet up with the troupe, leaving Atta confused. Flik swiftly came back to Atta and said, "thank you," before kissing her and rushing back.
Atta, though confused, was obliged by the kiss and grinned at Flik.
Back with Flik, he burst into the room where the troupe was resting. "Hopper's afraid of birds," exclaimed Flik.
"And I don't blame him," replied Francis as everyone turned to Flik.
"It's perfect," said Flik, "we can get rid of Hopper, and no one needs to know I just happened. You just keep pretending to be a warrior."
"Wow, Flik, darling," said Rosie, "we're not going to fight grasshoppers, alright?"
"You'll be gone before the grasshoppers ever come," said Flik, "it'll be easy. Here's what we do...."
"Nah-uh-uh, not another word," said Manny, not letting anything do with Flik's plan, "I don't know what you're collecting in your little ant brain, but we have no part of this."
But before an argument could start, two young ants peeked into the room. "Excuse me. Can we get the warriors' autographs?"
"Motocrossed," asked Heimlich as he pulled out a pen, "hee-yah!"
With that said, the two ants entered the rooms with their small, paper-like fashion. "Wow! Cool!"
"Well, you guys are capturing the incident today," asked Francis as he signed one of the autographs.
"Oh, the bird went," said one of the young ants while imitating a jet, "and I just missed you."
"Oh, aren't you cute," said Gypsy as she signed the children's magazine.
"And how you pretended to be stuck in the big crack," said the other ant as Rosie signed her sheet.
"Oh-ho," chuckled Heimlich, "this is just part of the plan."
"Yes, yes, that's it," said the ant as he took his autograph and ran to Manny, "and then how you dive-bombed into the bush."
"Here you go, my boy," said Manny as he gave the other ant his leaf.
"Wow, thanks."
"M-M-Major?"
"This is Major Manny, young cadet," said Manny, "I surpass everyone here, remember that."
"Yes, sir," saluted the two ants.
"Rejected."
The two young ants left the room, overcome with much emotion. "If I grow up, I'll be a bean sprout."
"I'm going to be a stick."
"Oh, they're all so cool, I can't choose."
Everyone watched them leave, all finding them cute. "Ohoho, wonderful guys," commented Manny, "you were saying?"
"Alright," explained Flik, "we're going to build a bird, a bird that we can drive from within, which will then be hoisted......"
Flik's idea proved very popular with the troupe. The troupe explained the plan to the Council Ants, who also liked the looks of this plan. "...hoisted over the anthill and hidden high in the tree," explained Manny as the other troupe bugs showed a presentation at how it was gonna go, "then, just as Hopper and his gang are below, we'll shoot the bird up and frighten it away the grasshoppers. Now it'll take...."
Liking this idea, Atta announced to the rest of the colony. "...everyone's commitment to making this plan a reality. I know it's not our tradition to do facts differently, but if our ancestors could build this anthill, we could certainly come together to build this bird."
Everyone burst into applause, thinking this idea could be the solution to the grasshopper problem. Flik was alongside his fellow ants and grew with happiness. His idea could be his best one yet.
The decision to build the bird had been confirmed and the operation to build it was about to go underway. Above ground, Thorny cut the silhouette of a bird in a leaf. Gypsy and Manny carried this leaf into the heavens and held it underneath the bright sun. This left a big shadow of the leaf, but the cutout of the bird was the only fact shining on the ground. "IT'S PERFECT," announced Thorny.
"Alright, hit your target," Atta ordered the surrounding ants.
Groups of ants, including Flik, ran to the outline of the bird cutout and placed their sticks there where that the ants know where they start working. Gypsy and Manny flew away while Dim strolled nearby with a big stick with sharp branches. He launched it towards the center of the building site as some ants on a tree dropped an acorn onto a sharp stone, breaking the coat in half and breaking the cupule off. Groups of ants gathered together and picked up the two pieces of the coat. Flik and Atta were underneath the same piece and they saw each other. "Oh...hi, Flik," said Atta.
Flik hesitantly looked at Atta. Roll nudged Flik suggestively, as if he was trying to get him to flirt with Atta. Flik nudged Roll away as the group carried their piece off.
Back underground, the Blueberry troop were having a tea festival on an annoyed Francis' belly. Dr. Flora and another female ant watched from the entrance. "Oh, look, she's a natural mother," said Dr. Flora as the two of them left.
But this was getting annoyed for Francis. Eventually, he burst out. "OK, THAT'S IT! OUT, OUT!! EVERYBODY OUT," he shouts, frightening the blueberries.
The Blueberries gathered together, alarmed and on the verge of weeping. "Alright, now you're going to weep, right? You're going to weep. See if I care. Go ahead and weep. Good," said Francis stubbornly.
And like that, the Blueberries started weeping. This made Francis feel slightly bad. "Please don't weep," he said, "please."
But they kept weeping. Having an idea, Francis took three of the water balls and juggled them around. "What?"
The Blueberries stopped weeping and watched Francis. This wasn't an act of insult, but rather an entertainment act. After juggling for a few seconds, Francis tossed the water balls into the air and gulped them all down. "TA-DA," he said as he posed a completing pose.
This was enough to make the Blueberries happy again. They cheered for the ladybug.
Back above ground, construction on the bird continued. By now, branches were put together to make it look like a bird skeleton. Dim flew overhead with Thorny and one of the colony's trumpets tied to a web. "Alright, lower," instructed Thorny, "lower."
Dim chuckled as he lowered the web to the ground. "You've had it," said Thorny before shouting into the trumpet, "AND THAT"S IT!!"
With that signal, a group of ants approached the bird, ready for their next move of construction. Together, they got in a single file line and caught each other's feet. The branches were pulled together as they could, and Rosie started wrapping her sticky silk on the intertwining branches to keep them together. "Rabbit through the hole, chicken in the shed, two by two, there's the yarn," she said as she did her work, "AND YOU'RE DONE!!"
"RUBEN KINCAID," cheered Tuck and Roll.
Everyone got back on ground. "HEY!!"
"Well done, guys, good job," said Rosie.
Later on in construction, the acorn pieces were put on the bird. They were the beak and head of the bird. Also by this time, four more branches were put on the bird, two on each side, to look like wings. Mechanisms were put inside the bird to help them flap up and down like bird wings. "Up...down," instructed Heimlich as he munched on food, "up...down. Up...down."
This rehearsal was working and it showed that everyone was one step closer to getting the bird finished.
Underground, the Blueberries, and even Francis was playing a game of cards. They stared at their individual cards. Francis, thinking he had won, chuckled as he was ready to collect the award, only to be stopped by one of the young ants. "Nuh-uh-uh. Read them and weep."
Francis was confused at first, but didn't mind. The Blueberries chuckled as they continued having a good time together.
Back above ground, the bird's skeletons and wings were put together. All that was left now was to collect feathers. By now, the leaves on the tree were turning red, orange and yellow. This meant that autumn was in the air. Dim flew into the tree and blew out several leaves like a vacuum cleaner. On the branches, Gypsy directed the ants. Together, they jumped on the leaves and they came loose. They started falling to the ground slowly. Flik rode his leaf like a surfboard. Flik was enjoying himself. "Flik, watch out," said Heimlich from above.
Flik saw Heimlich above him and swiftly got out of the road. Heimlich was playing with the leaves and flapping them like butterfly wings. "Look, I'm a beautiful butterfly," he said happily.
Flik laughed at the caterpillar, finding his antic funny. The leaves were the last facts to put on the bird. Everyone marched in a single file line and placed their leaves near the bird. Flik, along with a few other ants, places the leaves over the bird's body. "There you go," said Atta as she watched the ants work, "well done, boys. Keep up the good work."
Flik noticed Atta and grinned at her. Atta noticed Flik staring at her and he was confused. Flik swiftly snapped out of his gaze and hid himself behind someone else's leaf. Atta looked at her own leaf and grinned back at Flik, thinking that he might like her. Atta flew overhead and saw the bird, finished and ready to be put in the tree. Cornelius checked the rope and saw that it was tied up tight and ready to carry the bird. Atta looked into a hole in the tree, where Thorny and Dim were waiting. Below were four lines of rope, with everyone standing past. These ropes were extended from behind a root and above a tree branch. With everything and everyone ready, Atta landed and announced, "ALRIGHT!!"
Everyone started pulling on the ropes. Working together, they tugged and tugged, slowly lifted the bird off the ground and into the air. Slowly, but surely, the bird slowly ascended into the heavens as Atta flew down and helped pull it up as well. The bird was now a several feet above the ground. It made it to the hole where Thorny, Dim and a few other ants were waiting. Upon seeing the bird pulled high enough, Thorny gestured for Dim. Dim flew and gently pushed the bird into the hole. Thorny, using two glowing mushrooms, gestured for Dim to keep coming forward and forward, until eventually gesturing for him to stop. With Dim yet holding the bird in place, two ants put a stick underneath the bird head to keep it from flying away. A boulder was rolled a few feet away from the bird and held in place by two sticks, a short distance above the bird. It was now done. The bird was finished, put in place, and ready for action. "YOU'RE FIRED," exclaimed Tuck and Roll, who appeared from the beak.
Everyone cheered as they looked into the tree. Their bird-building plan worked and they were now ready for the grasshoppers to return. Flik was very emotional. This invention proved to be the best invention he had ever done in his life. He was ready for the confrontation with the grasshoppers, for this would determine a lot for the colony, and for himself.
On the outskirts of a hot desert, hundreds of miles away from Ant Island, there was a sombrero sitting near a cactus. In a nearby lake, a grasshopper was riding the waters like he was water skiing. "WAHOO! LOOK AT ME, I'M BAREFOOTING!! WAHOO!!!"
On a leaf, resting in the middle of a lake, a grasshopper, enjoying the sun, said to a nearby mosquito, "hey, two acne are fast."
"You have to try this, man," said the skiing grasshopper.
The mosquito flew into the sombrero, where the other grasshoppers were enjoying themselves. This was the grasshopper's hideout. Like a casino restaurant, it had music, places for visitors to rest, like tables and hammocks, gambling games and card tables. This was a paradise for the grasshoppers. But there were also mosquitoes who resided here and played music, served visitors, or were used as darts on a dartboard. "La cucharacha, la cucharacha....." sang two grasshoppers, "dadadadadadada!"
At a bar table, a mosquito was given a plate. He flew over to a glass can and picked out two pieces of grain. At the table, Molt sat with two grasshoppers, Axel and Loco. "We have more than enough food. We can get raining back there and fast...you might want to smoke an insect repellent spray," said Axel.
"Oh, don't say that either," said Molt, "do you know anything? You make a lot of sense. Then why do you risk it? You should warn Hopper."
"It was a good idea," said Loco, "but...you know it's not really our place, that is, you're his brother. This loves you...the gang of vice presidents."
"Wow," said Molt, "that's right."
"Well, please," said Hopper, "allow me to introduce you to the Company."
"I understand. I warn you," said Molt as he started leaving, "boy, I should speak to you more often."
"What if I don't like Hopper," asked Axel.
"Then at least, the genius will be beaten, not us," said Loco, who didn't care about what just happened to Molt.
"Vice President Molt," commented Molt before flying away to find Hopper.
In another room, Hopper was enjoying his relaxation. Hopper was getting a back massage. "Yes, that's good," said Hopper, relaxing as a centipede worked on Hopper's back, "oh, yes, that's good. Oh, a little lower. Lower, lower."
Molt landed as he said, "hiya, Hopper."
"Go away," said Hopper, unwilling to deal with Molt.
"If that's alright, I'm not going to warn you of my thoughts," said Molt.
"Good."
"OK, that's it, I warn you anyhow," said Molt as he stood over Hopper, "you see, I was thinking, alright, that's what I'm doing, the vice president, and everything. This was an idea and that was mine. Why are you going back to Ant Island? That means you don't even like grain."
"WHAT," asked Hopper as he swiftly got on his feet.
"Well, I don't think I was that good at it," said Molt, who was instantly hesitant, "in fact, it wasn't even my idea. It belonged to Axel and Loco. They speak fancy to me. I OWN YOU!!"
Hopper looked at his frightened ally and had a thought. Back in the main lobby, the grasshoppers were having fun with their own business, enjoying themselves. Suddenly, Hopper landed in the middle of the area. His presence caused everyone to stop what they were doing and look at him. Axel and Loco turned away, concerned that he was frustrated at them. "Everyone," announced Hopper, "please order another round, THEN WE'LL STAY HERE!!"
The grasshoppers cheered for their boss, now happy to be staying at the hideout. "What was he thinking? I'm going back to Ant Island," asked Hopper as he walked to the bar table, "that is, we've just arrived here and we have enough food to survive the winter, right? Why come back? But there was that ant who confronted me."
"Yes, but we can forget about him," said Loco.
"Yes, it was just one," said Axel.
The other grasshoppers laughd, along with the pair as Hopper said, "yes, it's the only ant."
"Yes, boss," said Axel, "they're tiny."
"Huh...puny," asked Loco.
"I'll warn you," said Hopper as he pulled out a piece of grain, "let's say this grain is a tiny little ant."
Hopper tossed the grain and it hit Axel in the chest. "Was it painful?"
"No," said Axel.
"Well, what about this," said Hopper as he tossed another one to Loco.
This didn't hurt Loco either. "Is that a joke?"
"How about this," said Hopper, who suddenly took the glass can away.
Hopper's action resulted in all the pieces of grain pouring out and landing right on the now terrified Axel and Loco. Unable to react fast enough, they were buried alive in the pile. The grain rained down on the unfortunate grasshoppers as everyone else watched in shock. Hopper stared at the gang as the grain came down like hail. As it ceased, everyone watched from the windows. "You made one ant stand up against us, but they may all stand up," said Hopper as he stood on the pile, "these tiny little ants outnumber us by 100 to 1. And if they understand this, there's a fashion of life for us. It's not food. It's lining up these ants. THAT'S WHY WE'RE BACK!! Does anyone else want to stay?"
Afraid at what Hopper would do to them if he chose to stay, everyone activated their wings and were ready for flight. "He's a pretty motivational speaker, isn't he," said Molt to another grasshopper.
Hopper got off the pile and stood above the grasshoppers. "LET'S MOVE," he shouts out.
Everyone took to the air. They now had their minds set on terrorizing the ants and stopping any rebellion. They flew out of the hideout and flew into the desert, heading for Ant Island.
Back on Ant Island, it was evening and some of the ants stood guard using their telescopes and glowing mushrooms. With the bird ready, they were ready for if their visitors would arrive. Below them, the rest of the colony, along with the troupe, were feasting over their accomplishment in setting the bird up. "To the bird!"
"THE BIRD!!"
Some ants, along with Gypsy and Manny, followed each other in a conga line. Dr. Flora was dancing with Tuck and Roll. "Get off, roly-poly boys," said Dr. Flora.
"How low can you be," sang Slim as ants used him as a limbo stick, "sing it low, how low can you go? Do it, princess, how low can you go?"
"And that's how my twelfth husband died," Rosie said to another ant, "then I'm a widow.....I mean, I was always a black widow, but now I'm a black.....a widow...a widow."
Rosie chuckled over her joke while Dim played with some of the young ants. He launched one ant into a spider web created by Rosie. In the tree, Thorny was monitoring the island, looking out for visitors. "Thorny," said Mr. Soil, "are there any signs of these demons?"
"Let me check," said Thorny as he took his mushroom and raised it high.
The other ants raised their mushrooms high, but there was no frantic panic. "No, not yet," said Thorny to Mr. Soil, "but we're ready for them."
"BLUEBERRIES DISHONORED," announced Francis to the Blueberries, "and, uh...stop hitting the boys."
The Blueberries playfully ran away as the rest of the troupe gathered together around Francis. They watched the Blueberries run off and grinned. "These little raisins will grow up," commented Francis, happy to be friends with the troop.
"Hey, how are you guys doing here? It's a festival? Is that grain fresh," asked Flik to the colony before meeting up with the troop and whispering, "alright, I warned everyone that it would be placed deep inside the command bunker. The festival would be silent and I would sneak you out, and you would be increased here forever."
Although this seemed like a chance for the troupe to leave at last, they had other thoughts. "I don't want to go with Dim," said Dim.
Flik looked at Dim with a surprised look. "Well, if Dim stays, he'll need me here and he's not completely trained," said Rosie, "I mean I was trained at home."
Dim chuckled while Francis said, "um...I promised a little blueberry to teach them...canasta."
"We seem to be obsessed with long-term involvement," Gypsy said to Flik.
Tuck and Roll kissed Flik, happy to be staying on Ant Island as well. Flik grinned at the troupe while Atta appeared. "Would you like to this colony," asked Atta, "can you see that colony? I'm hardly aware of this either."
"Haha, I feel 70 again," said Cornelius as he did some pushups.
"Work that ass, baby," said Queen before laughing with the other ants.
"There is a bug that appreciates it," said Atta, "thank you. And, uh...thank you for finding them, Flik."
"Me," asked Flik as he turned to Atta, incidentally getting one of his antennaes stuck in Atta's, "oh, uh, uh, uh...I see. In other words, if you like, I'm just..."
"It's all intertwined," chuckled Atta as Flik untangled the antennae.
"There," said Flik as he got two of the antennaes loose.
Atta and Flik chuckled at each other. "I think I'm going to check the bird," she said as she walked away.
Everyone watched as she headed away, coming back upon realizing she was going the wrong road. "Bird's like this," she said.
"Ehehehehe, bird's like that," chuckled Flik, who then noticed the troupe staring at him happily, "what?"
Back on the island, Thorny kept observing the island with his telescope. So far, there was nothing suspicious. The other glowing mushrooms kept their guards up and didn't panic. But as Thorny looked into the grass, he saw it moving, as if something was sneaking inside. Thinking it was the grasshoppers, arriving in a different style, Thorny gasped. "Jiminy H. Crickets," he muttered before rushing to his trumpet and blowing out an alarm.
Everyone heard this alarm and became hesitant. Swiftly jumping into action, the ants got to their posts and were ready for the incoming battle. The troupe became shocked. Fearing that it was the grasshoppers, Flik got hesitant again. "They're back," he said, "get ready, everyone! Go to your posts!"
"BATTLE STATIONS, EVERYONE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!! C'MON, EVERYONE, YOU KNOW YOUR JOB," ordered Atta as a line of ants rushed up the tree, getting ready to launch the bird, "LET'S MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!!!"
But as it seemed they were about to face the grasshoppers, a light shone through the dark grass forest. Suddenly, something burst through the forest, alarming Atta. She jumped out of the road as a train pulled by two milipedes landed in the center of the island. The other ants were alarmed as well and made their road for the visitor. But to their confusion, it wasn't any of the grasshoppers. But the troupe recognized their visitor and were horrified. It was P.T. Flea. "Hey, hey, hey there, easy, girls, that's it," he said as he stopped his vehicle.
The troupe gasped. "P.T. Flea?"
As for the ants, they approached P.T.'s train as P.T. introduced himself. "Greetings and salutations. What have you done with ooh-pa-ba-do? I am...the big...P.T FLEA!! Hehe! I need your help....oh, let's chase. Look, I went from anthill to anthill. I'm looking for a lot of circus performers. Have you seen them?"
The two fireflies showed the colony of poster of the missing circus bugs. But everyone recognized these guys. Flik gasped upon seeing this. These were the same circus bugs they inadvertently bought to the island. The rest of the colony became confused. "Wait a moment," said Cornelius as he observed the poster, "isn't that Staff Sergeant Slim?"
Not letting the cover be blown, Flik rushed to the poster and tried rolling it up. "No, no, no, no, I'm sorry, but, uh...no, I've seen such a person around here..."
As Flik tried frantically trying to get P.T. to leave, until P.T. heard a whispering noise behind him. Behind him, the troupe was trying to get away while hiding under a leaf, but they incidentally bumped into a rock. P.T. turned and saw the leaf. "Look," he said.
The two fireflies shone their light on the leaf, revealing the feet of the hiders. They all looked familiar to P.T. "Then you probably want to get started, I think are a lot of anthills to check in. Farewell!"
But P.T. ignored the ants and jumped to the leaf. He took the leaf away and there he saw his troupe. The troupe was now exposed, but they tried silencing P.T. from exposing them to the ants. "Hello, everyone," said P.T., ignoring their pleas to be silent, "I've been looking for you. The death of fire is a big hit!"
"P.T., csendes."
"I'm serious," P.T. continued, "word of mouth spread...."
"P.T., no."
"The next day, there was a line of flies outside the tent," said P.T. as the colony gathered around, "it lasted forever. It must've been a foot long!"
"Csendes, P.T."
"Well, I understand this," said P.T., "you burn me twice a night, I take a break to heal, and then we do it again. We'll be the top circus act in the business!"
Flik peeked from behind the train, now realizing that it was inevitable for the troupe's cover to be blown. "That is...you're not a voyager," asked a shocked Atta.
"Are you joking? These guys are the worst circus bugs you've ever seen," P.T. said to the colony, shocking them horribly, "and they're going to make me rich! AHAHAHA!!"
"I'm going to warn me that our whole defensive strategy IS MADE BY CLOWNS," asked a furious Thorny.
"Heyheyheyhey, we really thought Flik's idea would work," said Francis.
Everyone gasped and turned to Flik. The troupe frowned at Francis, frustrated at what he just said. "Oops."
Atta approached Flik, very disappointed. "Warn me that this isn't true."
"No, you don't...you don't..." Flik said, trying to calm facts down.
"This couldn't happen in an inappropriate time," said Mr. Soil hesitantly, "the last leaf is about to fall."
"We don't collect food for grasshoppers," added Dr. Flora.
"If Hopper knew what we did most..." said Thorny.
"Hopper doesn't know this. We'll hide it all and pretend it never happened," said Queen before turning to the troupe, "your bug wasn't here. Then I suggest you all leave."
Flik rushed in to their defense. "The bird," said Flik, "the bird will work!"
But Queen was furious like the other ants. "If an ant put himself in front of his other colonies, I never thought the day would come," she said.
"What," asked Flik.
"The truth is, Flik," said Queen, "you lied to us."
"No, no, no, I just..."
"You lied, Flik," said Atta as she approached the ant, "you lied to her. You lied to the colony. You lied to me....and like an idiot, I believed in you."
As for Flik, he tried speaking to Atta. "But I...I was afraid if I knew I had a circus bug," he said before sighing in despair after realizing there was no hope of negotiating, "I just...wanted to make a difference."
"I want you to leave, Flik..." said Atta somberly, "and this time...don't come back."
Flik looked at the disappointed princess. The Blueberries gasped upon hearing Atta banish him. Starting with Flik, he started leaving, along with the troupe. "There are a lot of people," commented P.T., before getting his millipedes to get moving, "yee-hah!"
Dot tried running after Flik, but she was stopped by her mother. "Flik," she muttered mournfully.
Flik kept walking with the troupe. From above, in the tree, the last leaf was barely hanging on. Eventually, it broke off its branch and slowly fell to the ground.
This was an indication of one fact; the grasshoppers were on their road. And on their road they were. Flying past the misty fog and dead trees, the grasshoppers flew in a formation like a squadron of military planes. They kept their minds focused on getting the food from the ants. Molt was having damage trying to hold onto Thumper. But these were just minor problems and they didn't do them any big harm. No one noticed them, for they kept flying forward. Hopper flew ahead of the gang, having his sights set on Ant Island, ready to terrorize the colony like they did before.
In the cold fog of winter, an ant carried a piece of food over his head. He was joined by other ants carrying food to the offering stone, but they were all frantic and in a panicked rush. Having not known the secret of the circus troupe until the last moment, they tried one last attempt to get enough food for the grasshoppers. But they had little time, for all the leaves had fallen off the tree. Atta and Thorny watched as the ants delivered his food. "That's it," asked Atta hesitantly, "but there must be more food on the island."
"If we give up again, we'll starve to death," said Thorny mournfully.
"Hopper won't accept this."
Suddenly, everyone heard loud plane noises. They started getting louder and louder. This meant only one fact; the grasshoppers were back. But due to the fog, the ants couldn't see them. They could strike from anywhere at any moment. "Mum," said Atta, "it's not enough. What have we done?"
"I-I don't know," said Queen in distress.
Suddenly, the plane noises stopped. Everyone looked around them, trying to find the grasshoppers, but there was no sign of them anywhere. However, they heard silent footsteps that started getting bigger and bigger. The ants hesitantly looked and saw something coming from the fog. It was a grasshopper, slowly approaching the colony. Others joined him as he menacingly closed in on the terrified colony. But they weren't coming from one place. A few others appeared from left and right. They were everywhere. Thumper snarled at the ants until they heard a frustrated voice coming from behind them. "You little termites!"
Everyone turned and saw Hopper, carrying the food leaf. "I'll give you a second chance, THIS IS WHAT I CAN GET," he snapped frustratedly as he threw the leaf at the colony.
Everyone got out of the road as the leaf landed on the ground, spreading the food all over the place. "But Hopper, we have no time," said Atta.
"Are you playing all summer," asked a yet frustrated Hopper, "DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME?!"
"No, no, please wait," begged Atta.
"Well, guess what...you just lost."
Thumper rushed in and attacked the colony. The other grasshoppers rushed in and attacked as well, sending the ants in a panicked run. "UNTIL WE EAT UP ALL THE FOOD ON THE ISLAND, AN ANT WON'T SLEEP," yelled Hopper upset.
"Do as he said, you don't want to make him frustrated," said Molt, "believe me."
Queen tried getting away, along with the rest of the colony, but Hopper landed right in front of her. "No, no, no," he said, "you stay past my side, Your Highness."
As for the other ants, they tried getting away, but grasshoppers landed in front of them and forced them back. "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING," they shout, "GO OVER THERE!!"
The only ants who weren't caught in the chaos were the Blueberry troop. "Faster," Dot whispered to her fellow troop members, "go to the clubhouse."
The Blueberries ran into the grass forest. They climbed down clovers and grass stems until seeing their clubhouse up ahead. But Dot heard a rustling noise behind her. "Hurry now," she said.
Dot caught the leaf attached to the entrance and pulled it down. The other Blueberries slid down it and landed in their clubhouse, which was a secret underground lair, not connected with the tunnels of the anthill. One by one, the Blueberries slid in and took shelter. With all the troop members inside, Dot got in herself and silenced her frightened friends. The Blueberries did so until they heard voices coming from outside. "Shut up, alright? I think I heard the sound here. Have you checked there?"
Dot peeked outside and saw two grasshoppers strolling nearby. "No, not yet," said one of the grasshoppers.
"Well, then you go and take a look," said the other one.
The grasshoppers walked away, but one of them swiftly came back upon seeing something. "Wait a moment."
Dot gasped, thinking the grasshopper found her and the Blueberries. "Hey, I think I found something," said the grasshopper as he approached the clubhouse.
Dot swiftly hid and braced for the grasshoppers. But the grasshopper didn't see her. Instead, he found her bandana. "Ehehe, cool," he said as he put it on his head, "hey, what do I see?"
"Like an idiot," said the other grasshopper.
"I don't know, perhaps it'll, uh...keep you dry in the rain."
"You idiot. We left here before it rained. Didn't you hear Hopper? After the ants had eaten all the food, he would squash the queen to remind them who's the boss."
Dot gasped upon hearing the grasshopper's words. "Then she's dead, they weep, boo-hoo, we went home, ending the story," concluded the grasshopper as he and his comrade walked away.
"Oh. Cool. I like our job."
Dot peeked out of her clubhouse and watched them leave. Now seeing that the colony needed help, she turned to her fellow troop members and said, "stay here. I will get help."
Dot peeked out again and saw the two grasshoppers disappear into the grass forest. Now with the coast clear, Dot came out of the clubhouse and sneaked around it. With no one around her, she started making a run for it, but incidentally bumped into someone. To her horror, it was Thumper. Thumper roared at her and tried attacking, but Dot made a mad dash for dear life. She swiftly climbed up a clover and jumped from clover to clover, trying to get away. But Thumper was hot on her trail. He flew underneath the clovers, like a crocodile swimming underwater waiting to catch prey. He swiftly burst through the clovers, frightening Dot again. She jumped off the clovers and caught hold of a thorny flower. The flower knelt down as Dot used it to get to solid ground. Upon letting go, it got back in position, scoring a direct hit on Thumper and disorienting him. But Dot knew that Thumper wouldn't stay confused for long. She slid down a leaf and flew off it, landing another distance away from the savage insect. She resumed her run, hoping to lose him soon. But as she came out of the grass forest, she stopped upon seeing the rock face, the same rock face that Flik used to live in Ant Island. There was now nowhere to run, or hide. Seeing no other choice, she tried getting her wings to work. "C'mon, wings," she cried as she tried getting airborne, "fly, fly, fly!"
Suddenly, Thumper burst from the forest and lunged for her. Dot saw him coming and shrieked, but it was no use in trying to get away. Dot barely dodged Thumper's attack, but was sent falling into the foggy riverbed below. She disappeared underneath the fog as Thumper watched. Seeing that no one was coming back up, Thumper turned around and flew back into the grass forest.
But as Thumper disappeared, something slowly rose from the fog and up to the rock face. It was Dot. Crouched in a position as if she was bracing for death, she was floating in the air. At first confused, she looked behind her and saw her wings working. She eventually managed to fly at last. "Yes," she said as she tried getting to go.
At first, it was difficult to do so. She almost fell into the riverbed again, but she swiftly lost control. Now out of control, she zoomed forward, flying off of Ant Island in search of help. And she knew exactly what kind of help would be required to stop the grasshoppers from murdering her mother.
Miles from Ant Island, in a grassy area, P.T. Flea rode his circus train down the path. Dim followed him as P.T. sang his song about getting rich. "I'm gonna be rich, rich, rich. I'm gonna be rich, rich, rich. I'm gonna be the richest flea in the land. Ka-ching! The streets'll be paved with golden retrievers. I'm rich, rich, rich, that's what he did alright."
In the back car, the troupe rode inside. Everyone was down over what just happened on Ant Island as everyone found out the truth. The troupe looked at the opening of the car and saw Flik sitting on the edge. He was especially upset since he was banished from Ant Island. The troupe felt really bad and hopeless for him. "Poor fellow," said P.T.
"Hey, perhaps we can cheer him up," said Francis.
Slim, Francis and Heimlich approached the depressed Flik. "Don't worry, Flik," said Heimlich, "life in the circus isn't that bad."
"Yes, you can be part of our behavior," said Slim.
"Here, it's like this," said Francis as he slapped Slim, causing him to spin around and land in Francis' arms.
The trio did a completing pose as Slim said, "clap the cane, did you get it? I-I'm a silver cane, haha."
But Flik didn't even grin at this act. "Oh, it's alright," said Slim mournfully.
As the conversation went on, Flik heard someone's voice in the distance, a familiar voice. "FLIK!!"
Flik looked and saw Dot flying towards the train. "Dot?"
"FLIK, WAIT! PLEASE, WAIT!!"
"Dot, you're flying," said Flik as he helped the exhausted Dot onto the train, "what are you doing here?"
"You...must go back," said Dot as she caught her breath, "Hopper moved into the anthill, and his gang eats everything."
This bit of news shocked everyone. "Until I heard a grasshopper say that if I'm done, Hopper will crush my mother!"
Everyone gasped upon hearing this. "Oh, dear, the Queen," said Heimlich.
"We have to do something," said Rosie.
"How?"
"C'mon, you guys, think about it."
"I know," said Gypsy, "the bird."
The troupe thought that was a brilliant idea. "Yes, of course," said Manny.
"The bird, that's great," said Slim.
"Yes," said Heimlich.
"This bird won't work," said Flik.
Everyone's hopes turned into confusion. They turned to Flik, who was now sitting away from the doorway. "What do you mean what's the use," asked Francis, "this is your idea."
"But everything you said......"
"Forget evertyhing I warned you about, right, Dot," said Flik, "let's face it. The colony's right. I just made matters worse. That bird will certainly fail...just like me."
"Listen to me, my child," said Manny, "I make a living from failure. And you, sir, are not a loser."
"Oh, but Flik, you've done so many good facts," said Gypsy.
"Oh, yes," asked Flik, "well, show me one fact I did right."
Everyone thought about it, trying to think about what good deeds Flik did so, until Dim said, "us?"
The troupe agreed with the rhinoceros beetle as Manny said, "Dim's right, my boy. You have reshaped the long-term sleeping purpose embers in our lives."
"And if it weren't for you, Francis would never have touched his feminie side," said Slim.
"OH, YES," asked an irritated Francis, who then calmed down upon realizing that Slim was right about Flik, "did you know that? He's right."
"Lieutenant Gypsy reports for duty," said Gypsy to Tails.
"Children, say this word, we'll follow your battle," added Francis.
"We believe in you, my child," said Manny.
"Flik...please, let him catch a fish," begged Dot.
Despite this encouragement, Flik didn't feel better. Everyone looked at him, feeling bad, but Dot, having an idea, turned to the exit and flew out. Everyone watched her and was confused as to why she started flying off. But Dot wasn't going back to Ant Island alone. Instead, she flew to the ground, picked up a small rock and flew back to the train. She landed near Flik with the rock and placed it on the seat where Flik was sitting. Flik looked at the rock as Dot said, "pretend it's a seed, alright?"
Flik looked at the rock. Suddenly, he remembered Dot's words as the same words that he warned her as she felt she wouldn't be able to fly. He looked at Dot and realized that, in having gotten to the train herself by flying, she had sprouted from seed to tree, just like he had hoped. He also remembered that even though he lied to the colony about the circus bugs being warriors, their time at the island was a pleasant one and he was getting respect from the colony during that time. From the first landing on Ant Island, to rescuing Dot from the finch, to building the bird, he had been getting praise from the colony, including Atta, who had grown to like Flik during the troupe's stay. He also saw the encouragement the troupe was trying to give him was true. Had it not been for him, they'd yet be an unpopular group of bugs that were given little to no respect or applause from anyone else. The sun shimmered through some of the grass petals, shining the area as Flik grinned at Dot. "Thanks, Dot."
Happy to have eventually made Flik grin, Dot ran to him and gave a big hug, one that Flik returned. As for the troupe, they were confused at what Dot was trying to get at. "Hey, what's wrong with this stone," asked Francis.
"It must be an act," replied Slim.
Now filled with determination, Flik rose to his feet and said, "alright. Let's do it!"
Everyone rejoiced upon seeing Flik regain his determination. "That's the Flik we know and love," said Gypsy, "let's go!"
"Well, what have we done first," asked Rosie.
Outside, P.T. continued singing his joys of becoming rich, oblivious to what was going on in the train. "Bugs will pay, big bucks will see," he sang, "a bonfire that is starring me. HAHA!!"
"P.T., look," said Francis as he flew in front of his boss and pointed towards behind him, "MONEY!!"
"What, where are..." asked P.T., who looked, only to see Rosie lashing out her web at him while Flik watched, "AAHHHH!!!!"
But before P.T. knew it, he was covered with Rosie's web, darkening his world. "ALRIGHT!! LET'S MOVE," a grasshopper shouts to the colony.
Forcing the ants to march in a single file line, they rounded them up in a corner. From nearby, Flik and the troupe watched as the grasshoppers gathered the ants together. "They're rounding everything up," said Flik.
Suddenly, a light shone, alarming everyone. But it was one of the fireflies. "Hey, get your ass off," said Francis, unwilling their cover blown.
The firefly turned his light as he and the other firefly and percussion tarantula looked in the train. In the train, P.T. Flea hung from a web attached the ceiling like a cocoon. P.T. couldn't move and he was beat up. "Psst. Hey, guys," he whispered, "would you mind getting me out of this? I'll start thinking about paying."
But they didn't pay attention. The two fireflies closed the train door. "Hey, wait, wait, alright, I'll pay you. I'll pay you," begged P.T., only to get ignored.
Back with the others, they continued observing the slavery that was underneath them. They watched some of the ants gathering food and saw Hopper sitting at a table with Queen, Atta, Molt and Thumper.
"Oh, dear," said Flik as he watched the ants gather the food, "they completed collecting food. We must save the queen now. Once she's safe, we'll move to Gypsy's signal."
Everyone nodded yes as they hid in the undergrowth, ready to put their plan in action. Meanwhile, in the grass forest, the Blueberries remained in their clubhouse. They hadn't left, or made much noise since Dot left and so far, they hadn't been spotted. But as they hesitantly waited for something to happen, they heard a rustling sound and became shocked. "Something's coming."
But to their relief, it wasn't a grasshopper. It was Flik. "Hello, children," he said as Dot slid in behind him, "are you ready to roar at the grasshoppers?"
"It's revenge time, Blueberry-style fashion," said Dot as she chest-bumped another member.
"Blueberries rock!"
The Blueberries cheered, ready for action. At the center of Ant Island, the grasshoppers and wasps enjoyed eating the food.  By now, the food has been collected and it was only a matter of minutes before Hopper would attack Queen.  But as the feasting went on, everyone heard a drumroll and a fanfare.  “LADIES AND GENTLEBUGS!  LARVAE OF ALL STAGES,” a voice announced from the grass forest, “DRINK YOUR LEGS TOGETHER FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST…BUG…CIRCUS!!”
Lights shone through the forest as the train came out, slowly approaching the island center.  Slim, Heimlich, Francis rode onboard while Manny and Gypsy flew overhead and Dim and Rosie walked on ground with the millipedes.  While they marched, the circus fanfare continued playing, all while everyone waved to the crowds.  The grasshoppers were confused about these sudden visitors, but the ants became elated to see them again.  But as the train continues its trek, Hopper stands up and shouts, “WAIT A MOMENT!!”
The train, fanfare, and circus bugs stopped upon hearing the stern Hopper.  “I think I’m going to wet myself,” lamented Heimlich.
“Easy now,” whispered Francis.
“What’s going on in here,” asked Hopper suspiciously.
“Well…uh…” said Atta, fully unsure.
“Ah, yes,” said Slim, “we were invited by Princess Atta as a surprise for your arrival.”
Hopper looked at the circus group suspiciously.  They did not expect a circus troupe to come to town.  Thinking they’d get in the road of their plans, Hopper responded to the troupe.  “Crush ‘em.”
The troupe’s happiness turned into shock.  The grasshoppers got into the air, ready to attack.  Dim hesitantly backed off, bumping into the circus cannon and shooting out Tuck and Roll.  The two pill bugs landed in front of Hopper.  They started dancing a silly tune while Hopper watched with a stern face.  He couldn’t understand what Tuck and Roll were singing.  Roll stopped singing as he heard Tuck get out of tone and sing faster than him.  Annoyed, Roll slapped his twin.  Tuck complained in response, but Roll continued the argument.  With that said, the two pill bugs began fighting each other.  Their language was crazy and Hopper and Brenda were unable to understand.  But as they watched, they couldn’t help but feel amused by the pill bugs crazy antics.  “Now that’s fun,” said Hopper.
The grasshoppers got on ground and laughed as the two pill bugs fought their hearts out.  As for the troupe, they were relieved that they weren’t attacked.  “I think we could use some entertainment,” said Hopper before getting himself relaxed, “it looks like you did something right for once, princess.”
Slim got off the train and said, “continue with the show.”
The first performance was with Rosie, Dim, Tuck and Roll.  Rosie had her whip and she lashed at Dim as he bounced around in a circle around Rosie, with Tuck Roll and the otters on his back.  Tuck and Roll were on each other’s heads.  The grasshoppers cheered as the act went on.  “The circus, the circus, I love the circus,” sang Molt.
But as the act went on, Flik and the Blueberries silently sneaked up the tree.  Down below, the ants watched as the circus went on.  The Council Ants noticed Flik and the others secretly climbing up the tree.  A distance away from the circus, Heimlich was putting on an act.  Heimlich, who was sucking on a prop bottle, sucked all the milk out.  “Ba-ba completely gone,” he whined, “baby wants pie!”
Francis appeared with said pie, catching Heimlich’s curiosity.  “Pie,” he asked as Heimlich started begging crazily, “they asked for it.  Shall I give it to ‘em?”
“YES!  GIVE ‘EM THE PIE,” shout the grasshoppers, letting Francis give Heimlich the pie, “GIVE ‘EM THE PIE!!”
Heimlich got overheated but suddenly, Francis threw the pie into his face, getting him covered in pie.  Everyone cheered.  “Thank you gentlemen.  Always an intellectual treat,” said Slim as he juggled some berries, “warn me, how many cockroaches does it take to screw in a light bulb in?  Can’t warn.  As soon as the light comes on, they disperse.”
The grasshoppers burst into laughter.  As the laughter went on, Atta noticed Flik and his group climbing up the tree.  Remembering that they had the bird up there, Atta started getting hesitant, hoping that the grasshoppers wouldn’t know what was going to happen.  Up in the tree, Flik and his group made it to the top.  The bird was yet there, having not moved since getting pulled up there.  Flik helped the Blueberries up into the hole as the circus act continued.  “Almost there,” said Flik.
Manny appeared onstage as Dim pushed a Chinese food box onto the stage.  “From the most mysterious regions of unknown Asia…” Manny announced.
Up in the tree, Flik helped the Blueberries into the bird.  “C'mon, girls, faster, faster.”
They climbed into the mouth as two troop members got to the sticks holding a rock in place.  Down below, the act continued.  “…I give you the Chinese cabinet of metamorphosis,” said Manny as he approached the audience, “using psychic vibrations, I shall choose a perfect volunteer.”
“Ooh, ooh, ooh, choose me,” begged Molt, only to be ignored, “come on.  I’ll ask you with my brain.”
Manny walked around the audience, trying to find a volunteer for his act, until stopping in front of Queen.  “AHA!!  Why, Your Majesty,” he said.
“Me?”
Thumper snarled at Manny, alarming him, but Hopper said, “no, no, Thumper, down.  Let her go.  Perhaps he’ll saw her in the middle.”
“If you climb the dung beetle into the unknown,” said Manny as Dim helped Queen into the box and left the stage, “put your trust in the mystery that is beyond mortal comprehension…”
“Ooh, this is going to be good,” commented Hopper.
Back in the tree, Flik got in the bird and turned the Blueberries in the bird.  “Blueberries ready,” he asked.
“Ready,” they said.
“Ready,” said Dot, incidentally speaking into the loudspeaker.
“Csendes.”
Back on ground, Manny continued his act.  “I urge the ancient Szechwan spirits,” he said as he spun the box around, “to inhabit the bodies of our volunteers.”
Behind the train, the circus bugs guided Dim towards them.  What the audience didn’t know was that Dim was hiding Queen in his wings.  Queen peaked out of Dim’s wings, but Francis urged her to stay there.  “No, no, just stay in there, Your Majesty,” said Francis as Queen hid for cover.
“Transformation,” said Manny as he gestured his arms and hands towards the box, “transformation!  TRANSFORMATION!!”
Above, clouds started blocking the moon from view.  The ants also noticed the clouds and became shocked.  “Not now,” whispered Dr. Flora.
“If it rains, that bird’ll be torn to pieces,” said Cornelius.
“Csendes,” silenced Thorny, not letting the grasshoppers know about the plan.
In the tree, Flik waved to the Blueberries standing near the rock.  They gave Flik thumbs up, ready for their part, as Flik watched the circus act with his telescope.  “And now…Insect Transformation,” said Manny as he gestured towards the box.
The box started moving until eventually, something burst from the box.  It was Gypsy.  She revealed her wings, shocking the grasshoppers.  She slowly descended to the ground as everyone watched in awe.  “Nice,” said Molt.
Everyone applauded as Manny and Gypsy bowed.  “Thank you, thank you,” said Gypsy.
Above, Flik noticed Gypsy’s wings and said, “that’s the signal.  That’s the signal!”
Everyone got to their stations, as the two Blueberries removed the sticks holding the rock.  The rock started rolling down the hole, ready to knock down the stick holding the bird in place.  “That's it, girls,” said Flik to the Blueberries, “get ready to roll.”
The rock slid closer to the holding stick, but just as it seemed it was going to knock it off and launch the bird, it stopped in its tracks.  This caused the Blueberries to gasp in shock.  “It’s locked!”
Back on ground, everyone was oblivious to what was going on in the tree.  “This was amazing,” said Molt, “I have no one…what…how did they do that?  I have no idea where she's going."
“Thank you,” said Gypsy as Slim, Tuck, Roll and Francis pushed the now empty box off, “thank you, thank you.”
“MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE…” cheered the grasshoppers.
“BUT WAIT,” shouts Hopper, alarming everyone, “where is she?”
“Well, now…uh…actually,” said Manny, who was unsure.
“I’m sorry,” said Gypsy as she stood for Manny’s defense, “a magician never reveals his secrets.”
“That’s very true, Hoppy.  I mean, where would the mystery be if we all knew what it was like…” said Molt, only to get a piece of grain thrown into his head by a frustrated Hopper, “shut up.”
Back in the tree, the two Blueberries tried pushing the rock, but it wasn’t budging one bit.  “You can do it,” said Flik, “you have to make it work.”
But as the two children fought, one of them spotted two sticks attached to small stones.  These were the sticks used to get the holding stick in place.  “Look.”
Back on ground, the grasshoppers got up and approached the troupe.  “I SAID WHERE IS SHE,” demanded Hopper as he approached the group frustratedly.
The troupe was backed towards the train.  The bird was supposed to launch, but where was this?  Atta watched as the troupe huddled together and looked into the tree, hoping that the bird would launch now.  In the tree, the two Blueberries hit the holding stick with their rock sticks, until eventually, the stick was knocked aside and the bird was sent coming down and getting ready to launch.  “Hang on,” said Flik.
Dot cawed like a bird into the trumpet, giving out a loud, bird-like fashion that caught Hopper’s attention.  They stopped attacking Manny and saw the bird coming towards them.  “AAHHHH,” shrieked Hopper as he and the others ducked, dodging the bird in time, “BIRD, IT’S A BIRD!”
They watched as the bird flew overhead.  Inside the bird, Flik shook as he rode the wild ride in the air.  On ground, the ants, seeing that their original plan was working like they’d hope, shrieked wildly and scattered, pretending to be afraid.  As for Atta, she was happy that the plan was going underway.  She came out of her seat and joined the action.  As for the troupe, they started panicking as well.  The two fireflies shined their lights into the air like spotlights as the bird flew around the confusion.  The grasshoppers were afraid of this bird.  Flik laughed as he watched the grasshoppers panic.  Some of the grasshoppers, unaware that the bird was a fake, were too afraid to stay.  “Let’s get out of here,” said one of them as he flew away with three others.
Back with the other grasshoppers, they were yet terrified of the bird and oblivious to what they saw in front of them.  “Don’t let it hurt me,” said Hopper frantically as he hid behind Molt, “don’t let it hurt me!”
The bird flew towards them and they ducked behind a rock.  “HELP ME,” cried Hopper as they dodged the bird’s attack.
Queen peaked out of Dim’s wings and laughed at the grasshopper’s misfortune.  In the bird, Dot was instructing the Blueberries on operating the wings.  “Up, down, up, down,” ordered Dot, “and turn.”
They positioned the wings to make it where that the bird would turn.  Nearby, Slim picked one of his berries and squished it into his eye.  The bird flew overhead and right above him.  He started thrashing and shrieking as he ran to Hopper and Molt.  “My eye,” he said as if he was dying, “help me.”
Hopper shrieked while Molt was ready to barf.  They thought Slim was missing an eye.  Hopper fled, only to run into a few ants who also looked like they were cut open and bleeding.  Hopper fled from them as well, only to come face to face with a now headless Heimlich.  Hopper flew off of them.  With Hopper gone, Heimlich poked his head out and tasted the berry juice around his face.  “Mmm, boysenberry.”
The bird flew overhead, right above them.  In the bird, Flik watched as the confusion continued.  But as he grinned, he noticed the circus train right ahead of him.  He gasped and tried going up.  “AAH!  NONONONONONONO!!”
It's too late since the bird smashed into the train, sending it rolling across the ground, and scattering the equipment.  P.T. Flea was also sent rolling and he was freed from Rosie’s web.  Upon seeing the bird destroy his train, he gasped in shock until he heard Gypsy shriek and he turned.  He saw Manny, smeared in berry juice, acting as if he was dying.  “Eeh, the pain,” he said painfully before collapsing.
The grasshoppers, watching, fled in fright.  P.T., thinking that Manny was really dead, said, “there goes my magical act.”
Thinking fast, he caught a match and lit it, while shouting, “BLAZING GAS!!”
But Slim noticed him and said, “NO, P.T.!!”
But P.T. ignored Slim and landed on the gas container.  He poured the flame on the gas and set a trail of fire.  This trail came in contact with the flying bird, and it set the bird’s bottom on fire.  “YES!  A DIRECT HIT!!  HEHEEHA!!!”
In the bird, the Blueberries noticed the fire and started panicking.  “FLIK,” cried Dot.
Flik turned and saw the bird on fire.  “FLIK, HELP US,” cried Dot.
Flik, seeing that they couldn’t fly the bird around with a fire, came out of his seat and rushed to detach the cable keeping the bird in the air.  But with Flik no longer in the pilot seat, the bird started waving out of control.  Hopper saw the bird fly around uncontrollably, but realized something that made his hatred.  Inside the bird, Flik got in the middle of the panicking group and detached the cable.  The bird started falling to the ground.  Everyone got out of the road as the bird smashed into the anthill.  It slid a few feet towards the hill before coming to a full stop.  Everyone gasped upon seeing the bird smash to the ground.  “Dot,” cried Atta as she and the others rushed to the bird.
Everyone rushed to the bird, worried at whoever was in it. "Alright," said Flik as he and Dot guided the frightened Blueberries out of the burning bird, "everybody out! Hurry up!"
The Blueberries came out and they ran to Atta while coughing. "Where's Dot," she asked, "has anybody seen Dot?"
Dot came out of the bird and started running to Atta, but Hopper caught her by the noggin and held her while advancing towards the colony and troupe. "WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS," he demanded, "WHAT?!"
No one responded him, intimidated by his frustration. Hopper turned to Atta, thinking she was responsible. "Was it yours, princess," he asked as he approached her.
The Blueberries were afraid of the menacing grasshopper, but Atta urged them to get behind her. "Just get behind me, girls, it's alright," she said.
But before Hopper could attack Atta, Flik appeared. "LEAVE HER ALONE, HOPPER," shouts Flik, "the bird was my idea. I'm the one you want."
Hopper dropped Dot and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, Thumper appeared behind Flik and attacked. Unable to react fast enough, Flik was kicked by the savage grasshopper. A few grasshoppers stood in their road as well. Hopper watched as Flik was beaten horribly. The ants and troupe were horrified at what was going on to Flik. Even Molt couldn't help but feel bad for him. Flik was knocked to the ground, badly hurt as Thumper stood above him. Hopper snapped his fingers and Thumper turned to his boss. "How do you get mad to do this for me," Hopper asked Flik.
Flik, attempting to get up, said, "you were...you were going to crush the queen."
The ants gasped as they turned to Queen. "That's true," said Dot.
"I hate it if someone gives off the ending," said Hopper as he gestured for Thumper to kick Flik again.
Thumper did so, injuring Flik again. "You piece of land," he said, "no, I'm wrong. You're lower than dirt. You're an ant."
Hopper approached the badly injured Flik. "Let this be a lesson to all you ants," said Hopper to the crowds, "ideas are very dangerous facts. You are thoughtless, earth-shattering losers, set on this Earth to serve us."
"You're wrong, Hopper," said Flik as he attempted to get to his feet.
Hopper turned to Flik, surprised. Flik managed to get to his feet and stare Hopper in the face. He breathed in and spoke. "Ants are not meant to serve locusts."
Hopper frowned furiously at Flik as he started walking towards him. "I've seen these ants do great facts," he said, "and year after year, they somehow manage to pick food for themselves, and you."
The ants looked at Flik with surprise. They had never heard Flik speak on their behalf with such intelligence. They also realized that Flik was right about them. How could they have been able to get enough food for the grasshoppers during the summer? How could they have been also able to build that bird, which was something they had never attempted before? Atta watched as Flik continued his speech. "WELL, WHO'S THE WEAKER SPECIES," asked Flik frustratedly, "ANTS DON'T SERVE GRASSHOPPERS! IT'S YOU WHO NEEDS US!!"
By the time Flik completed, Hopper was right in front of him. Hopper turned to the ants, who were chatting amongst themselves, amazed at what Flik did. "We're much stronger than you say we are," said Flik to the surprised Hopper, "and you know it....don't you?"
Taken aback by Flik's speech, Hopper smacked Flik aside and was ready to squish him. But before he could do so, Atta flew in and stood in front of the evil grasshopper. Hopper only chuckled at Atta's attempt to protect Flik. "Well...princess."
"Ahem...Hopper," said Molt, who stood hesitantly with the rest of the grasshoppers, "ahem...I...I hate to interrupt, but..."
Molt pointed towards the ants. Hopper looked and saw them staring at Hopper with furious faces. Flik's speech caused them to take a stand as well. "YOU ANTS HOLD YOURSELF," ordered Hopper.
But the ants didn't back off. They crossed arms with each other, along with the circus bugs, ready to attack. "Oh, that was such a bad idea," said Molt hesitantly as the grasshoppers backed off.
"You see, Hopper, nature has a certain order," said Atta, "the ants pick the food, the ants keep the food, and the locusts....leave."
The colony began their charge on the grasshopper gang. No longer a match for the colony, the gang fled, except for Molt, who ran a separate direction and hid in the grass. Atta helped Flik to his feet and guided him to safety. "I'm so proud of you, Flik," she said.
"CHARGE-A," Tuck and Roll shout to a group of gymnastic ants before rolling into balls of yarn after the fleeing grasshoppers.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING," demanded Hopper to his gang, "THEY'RE JUST ANTS!!"
But he was ignored, as Tuck and Roll knocked him to the ground. The rest of the colony ran over him. Dot was alongside them. But as they charged, Thumper landed in front of Dot, frightening her. But before Thumper could frighten Dot again, Dot slapped the grasshopper in the nose and said, "no! Bad grasshopper! Bad grasshopper! Go home!"
But Thumper snarled at her again. But Dot stood brave, not backing away. But before Thumper could do something else, Dim appeared behind the girl and let out a loud, intimidating roar. This was much eerier than Thumper and he swiftly turned around and fled with the rest of the gang like a cowardly bug. With Thumper leaving, Dot turned to Dim and high-fived him. "Yes."
With his grasshoppers leaving, Hopper was now on his own. "COME BACK HERE, YOU COWARDS," he shouts, "DON'T GO!!"
Hopper was picked up by the colony. "TO THE CANNON," said Flik.
"TO THE CANNON," the ants cheered.
Everyone walked to the offering stone, where the cannon was being held. Hopper couldn't move his road out of the cannon and he watched as the ants surrounded him. The percussion tarantula played a drum roll as Manny, Gypsy and P.T. Flea gestured for Dim. Dim landed on the offering stone and waved to Hopper as he chuckled. Hopper looked at Flik, who was satisfied with what was going to happen to Hopper. "Happy landings, Hopper," he said.
Dim got to the edge of the stone, ready to jump, but suddenly, a loud noise split through the air that caused everyone to turn silent. Everyone was confused. As everyone looked around, Flik noticed something in the distance. It was a series of drops of water coming down from the heavens, and they were swiftly approaching Ant Island. Realizing what it was, Flik panicked and turned to the others. "RAIN!!"
A fierce rainstorm came plummeting down onto the island. One raindrop landed right near Hopper, sending him rolling out of place. The raindrops were huge and they were causing a lot of chaos. The ants scurried in panic as the vicious rainstorm kept raining down on them. Lightning flashed in the heavens as thunder roared in the clouds. Some ants tried getting into the anthill for safety, but some of the raindrops landed in front of them, sending them sliding down the hill. This was a dangerous situation for everyone. As for Hopper, he saw Flik on the ground, being helped by Atta. He growled in frustration as Dim dodged a raindrop landing on the stone. Hopper swiftly spun himself around, stopping at where Dim was going to land. Dim landed on the cannon, and Hopper was sent flying towards Flik. He activated his wings as he growled viciously at the ant. Flik saw him coming, but was useless to get out of the road. Hopper caught Flik and flew up into the tree. "FLIK," cried Atta.
"FASTER!! AFTER THEM," said Slim as Francis caught him and flew after the evil grasshopper.
Francis was joined by Dim, who had Rosie, Tuck and Roll on his back and while carrying Heimlich. Hopper flew across the several branches, yet holding onto Flik. The circus bugs were not far behind. They dodged the falling raindrops and branches, trying to catch up to Hopper. But as he flew, he flew past intertwining branches and while he managed to get through them, he saw that he wasn't holding onto Slim anymore. "AAH!! SLIM," he cried.
"Francis," muffled Slim, "Francis, Francis, I'm stuck."
"Where are you," asked Francis.
"I'm over here."
"Where?"
"Here," said Slim as Francis tried finding him, "I'm the only stick with eyeballs."
Back with the others, they continued flying after Hopper. The circus bugs flew closer and closer to the panicking Flik. "HEEEEEELLLP," cried Flik.
"GET HIM," shouts Heimlich.
Rosie launched Tuck and Roll, attached to her web. The two pill bugs landed on Hopper and pulled on his antennae. They pulled really hard, trying to get Hopper to slow down. This was irritating Hopper and he was getting disoriented. But Hopper spotted intertwining branches and flew towards these. Lightning flashed in the heavens as he flew right through them. Dim was too big to fit through and was left stuck. This caused Tuck and Roll to be pulled back. "NoooooOOOO," cried Flik.
Although they lost Hopper, Tuck chuckled mischievously. Roll criticized him for laughing at Flik's problem. But Tuck wasn't laughing about Flik. He showed Roll Hopper's detached antennae and the two started laughing together.
As for Hopper, he was content that the circus bugs were no longer chasing him, but Atta appeared and caught Flik. Hopper savagely chased after the two ants. Atta flew towards the anthill, but Flik had another idea. "GO THAT FASHION," he said while pointing away from the island.
"BUT THE ANTHILL'S OVER......"
"I HAVE AN IDEA!!"
Atta did what Flik requested and flew off of the island. But Hopper was right on her tail. Hopper was chasing Atta and Flik across the river, dodging the raindrops. "FLIK," cried Atta.
"C'MON!!"
Hopper was right behind them, but before he could catch them, he was suddenly sent back after colliding with a raindrop. Atta and Flik made it to the other side of the canyon. "THERE," instructed Flik.
But a raindrop landed on the two ants. They landed on a leaf before getting themselves free and landing on the ground. "C'mon. We have to hide," said Flik as he guided Atta to a rock, "no matter what happens, stay down."
Flik left Atta at the rock before rushing off. "Flik, no," cried Atta, not letting Flik get hurt, "what are you doing here?"
Flik ran across the opening, but suddenly, Hopper appeared right before him. Lightning flashed as the menacing hopper advanced towards the ant. "PAPAN!!"
"You think it's over," asked Hopper.
"No, no, no, no," begged Flik, no, I-I can explain."
"All your little stunt did was buy time for them," said Hopper as he cornered Garrett at a nest.
"No, please," begged Flik, "please wait, Hopper."
Hopper caught Flik's neck and started choking him. "I'll get more grasshoppers and be back next season," he said before sinisterly concluding, "but you won't."
The finch that attacked Flik during the summer appeared above the grasshopper. The finch chirped, getting Hopper's attention. Hopper looked at the bird and said, "well, what's this? Another one of your little bird tricks?"
"Yes," said Flik with a grin.
"Are there a bunch of little girls in this one as well," asked Hopper as he looked at the finch's beak, "HELLO, GIRLS!!"
The finch shrieked in Hopper's face, letting out a loud, anguished shriek and revealing that it was not a fake. Seeing that the finch was real, Hopper yelled and let go of Flik. He turned and tried making a mad dash to get away, but the finch came out of her nest and landed right in front of the terrified grasshopper. Ignoring the sting in the stomach, the finch blocked every one of Hopper's attempts to escape. Hopper turned around and tried getting away the separate direction, but in a lightning fast strike, the finch picked up Hopper and flew over to her nest. "AAH! AAHHHH!! NO, NO!!! NO, NO, NO, NO!!!! NO!!!!! AAH!!!!!! AAHH!!!!!!! AAHHHH!!!!!!!! OH, DEAR," he cried as the finch flew him over the nest, revealing three newly hatched chicks.
Upon seeing Hopper, the chicks tried reaching out for him. As for Flik, he hid behind the same rock Atta was behind and watched as the finch flew over the nest with Hopper. Realizing there was nothing they could to do help Hopper, the two braced themselves and hid their faces, leaving Hopper to his fate. "OH, DEAR! AAHH!! NO, NO, NO, NO!!! AAHHHH," Hopper shrieked as the finch lowered Hopper into the nest, causing Hopper's view to go black as he was devoured into the chick's mouths, who growled in frustration before shouting out an enraged "STEELE!!"
This yell was so loud that it echoed across the island. A long time later, it was a warm and sunny day. The sky was clear blue and Ant Island was filled with flowers. The tree was starting to blossom with new life. Signs of springs were in the air. Two ants played their trumpets in celebration of the new season. In the grass forest, Thorny and a few other ants were using Flik’s harvester inventions and they were cutting down grass blades. “C'mon, boys,” he said as they headed to the center of the island.
As for the Blueberries, they made it out of the rainstorm and winter as well. By now, Dot had the advantage over them for being able to fly. The bird was now a new hangout for the troop and it was secluded on the edge of the grass forest. The offering stone was no longer a place for the ants to gather food for the grasshoppers. It was now a relaxation spot for Queen. “Eventually, I get a second to relax and I gotta get outta my chair,” she said as she got up and turned to Cornelius, “come on, you can rub lotion on me later, Shade Boy.”
“Eeh, ya huppa huppa,” said Cornelius happily as he joined Queen to meet up with the other ants, who were gathering to say farewell to the circus bugs.
Everyone was receiving gifts from the grateful ants. “Oh, thank you all.”
“Oh you’re too kind.”
“It was the least we could do.”
“All in a day’s work.”
“Any time.”
Dim approached the train, but Rosie saw someone hidden underneath his wings. “Dim,” she said.
Seeing that he’d been caught, Dim opened his wings, revealing some of the young ants who were trying to stow off. They complained about not being able to come along with the bugs as Rosie said, “I’m very sorry, children. I wish you could come along too.”
As for Francis, he was being hugged by the Blueberries, who were mournful to see their ‘den mother’ go, hearing the frustrated grasshopper shout his name. “I’m not gonna weep,” muttered Francis, “I’m not gonna weep.”
While this happened, Tuck and Roll were putting one final show for the ants. Roll spoke to the ants, while Tuck played with Hopper’s antennae, the only fact left of Hopper. He played with it like a straw before poking it on Roll’s face. The ants found this funny and they cheered. As for P.T. Flea, his train was repaired and he was gathering his equipment for as the troupe left. “Alright, let’s go, we’ve had a schedule to keep. C'mon, let’s go,” he said to a group of gymnastic ants rolling into the train, “hey Tiny, let’s get this show packed up. We’ve got paying customers hatching.”
This newcomer named ‘Tiny’ was actually Molt. Having hidden on Ant Island instead of fleeing with the other grasshoppers, he decided to reform and travel with the circus bugs. The squad forgave him and allowed him to do so. “Yes, Mr. Flea, yes, sir, of course, sir, right away, sir,” said Molt, “and, um…I just wanted to thank you for giving me a chance, because it’s an honor to work with creative giants, such as yourself.”
Under P.T.’s order, the two fireflies closed the train door on Molt’s face. “Shutting up,” he said.
P.T. jumped on the train and turned to Flik. “You sure you can’t come on tour with us,” he asked.
“I'm sorry,” said Flik, “my place is here.”
Atta took Flik’s hand and said, “good response.”
“Ah, well, your loss,” said P.T. before turning to the circus bugs, “one moment insects.”
Flik and Atta turned to the troupe. “I want to thank all of you for giving us back our hope…our dignity…and our lives,” said Atta as Dot ran to them.
“And to you Princess Atta, you have given us so much,” said Slim as Manny approached her with a small leaf, “please accept this gift from us bugs to you ants.”
Manny did a magical gesture with his hand before revealing his gift to Atta; a small, but heavy rock. “For you,” said Manny.
“Oh,” said Atta as she held onto her gift, “it’s a rock.”
Slim, Francis and Manny high-fived each other while Cornelius asked, “what’s with the rock?”
“Must be a circus fact,” said Thorny.
Flik and Dot chuckled about this, remembering this from before. Atta gave the rock to the Council Ants. “Well, Flik, you really goofed up,” said an emotional Rosie, “thanks.”
“Yes,” said Flik, “you as well.”
Not saying another word, Rosie started applauding. The rest of the troupe joined her. Flik turned and saw Queen, Atta, Dot and the Council Ants clapping as well. Soon, the rest of the colony joined in, everyone very proud of Flik for his heroism and intelligence. Flik was amazed by this and didn’t know what to say. He started getting emotional, and while Flik didn’t know what to do, he was on the verge of weeping tears of happiness. Atta approached him and kissed him on the cheek, accepting him as her mate. Flik grinned at the princess and agreed. But as the cheering went on, Queen removed Atta’s tiara. Knowing what was going on, Atta knelt down on her knees and bowed her head while Flik joined in the applause. Queen took off her crown and put it on Atta’s head, officially crowning her the new queen of the colony. The applause got bigger as Atta rose to her feet. Atta smiled at the team before tossing her tiara to Dot. The tiara landed on Dot’s head and she chuckled. As this emotional moment went on, P.T. started tearing up himself. “Alright, now it’s getting mushy. We’re outta here,” he said before getting his millipedes to go, “hee-yah!”
The millipedes started going as the circus bugs got on the train. As for the circus train, it was being lifted into the air by Dim. He carried the front car while Rosie, Tuck, Roll and Slim rode on board. The young ants watched in awe as the train flew off into the heavens. “See you next season,” said Rosie.
“See you, Flik,” said Slim.
“Farewell,” said Rosie, “we miss you already.”
“YOU FIRED,” exclaimed Tuck.
“YOU FIRED,” exclaimed Roll.
But as Slim happily waved to the ants, he noticed something that made him gasp. “We forgot Heimlich,” he said as he pointed to the island.
On a tree root, a chrysalis hung upside down before moving around. The bottom peeled open, revealing Heimlich inside. “I’m completed,” he said, “eventually, I’m a beautiful butterfly.”
Heimlich pushed himself out of the chrysalis and landed on the ground. Although he underwent metamorphosis, he didn’t change much, except he was more turquoise in color and he had tiny wings on his back. Although they were small, Heimlich was amazed. “My wings,” he said happily, “oh, they’re beautiful.”
Flik and a few other ants rushed to help Heimlich into the air. “Heimlich, your wagon’s taking away,” said Flik, “you better start flying.”
“But I am flying. And from way up here, you all look like little ants,” said Heimlich as Francis and Manny came down to carry him up, “FAREWELL!!”
“Farewell,” said Manny as he and Francis flew with the circus train.
“FAREWELL,” said Flik as he waved.
Atta and Dot carried Filk up onto the tree root. They watched as the train flew away into the distance. As they waved, Thorny gathered the ants with the harvester inventions. They all had grass blades, and were ready for a special finale. “Present stalks,” instructed Thorny.
The ants turned around, with their blades positioned to the heavens. “Harvester, SALUTE,” ordered Thorny.
The blades were launched into the heavens like rockets, one by one. The blades collided with each other while in midair and they broke apart. These were fireworks and they were put on as a celebration over the ant’s victory and for congratulating the circus bugs. Flik and Atta took hands waved a farewell to them with Dot. This was the start of a whole new beginning for them. Flik and Atta were now engaged and the ants were free from slavery. The future ahead of them had a lot of happy potential.
Executive ProducersDENNIS DESHAZERSHERYL STAMPS LEACH
Senior ProducerJIM ROWLEY
ProducersJEFF GITTLELINDA HOUSTONMARTHA DATEMA LIPSCOMB
DirectorBRUCE DECK
WriterMITCH LOBROVICH
Production DesignerJESS NELSON
Musical DirectorBOB SINGLETON
Lyricists/ComposersSTEPHEN BATES BALTESLORY LAZARUS
Performance DirectorPENNY WILSON
Educational SpecialistsMARY ANN DUDKO, Ph.D.MARGIE LARSEN, M.Ed.
Cast:Voice of Barney... BOB WESTBarney's Body Costume... DAVID JOYNERVoice of Baby Bop... JULIE JOHNSONBaby Bop's Body Costume... JEFF AYERSVoice of B.J. ... PATTY WIRTZB.J.'s Body Costume... JEFF BROOKS
Cast:Shawn... JOHN DAVID BENNETT, IITosha... HOPE CERVANTESStella the Storyteller... PHYLLIS CICEROJason... KURT DYKHUIZENKathy... LAUREN KING
Cast:Juan... MICHAEL KROSTCarlos... COREY LOPEZMin... PIA MANALOKenneth... NATHAN REGANJulie... SUSANNAH WETZEL
Associate DirectorERIC NORBERG
Stage ManagerTERRIE DAVIS MANNING
Lighting DesignBERNER & BRILL LIGHTING DESIGN, INC.
EditorMCKEE SMITH
Audio DirectorDAVID M. BOOTHE
Art DirectorELIZABETH SAGAN VELTEN
Wardrobe Supervisor/DesignerLISA O. ALBERTSON
Technical Operations SupervisorRANDY BREEDLOVE
Video EngineerBINK WILLIAMS
Camera OperatorsLARRY ALLEN OZ COLEMANTOM COX BRUCE HARMON
Production AudioRONALD G. BALENTINE
Boom OperatorsJAMES JOHNSONDAVID SMITH
Lighting DirectorCASEY COOK
Key GripSTEVE RITCHEY
Lighting Board OperatorTODD DAVIS
Grip/ElectricJAMES EDWARDS
Construction SupervisorCHARLES BAILEY
Craft Shop SupervisorRAY HENRY
Art/Craft CoordinatorAMY ATHERTON
Set DresserAGGIE DAVIS-BROOKS
DraftspersonCHRISTOPHER MCCRAY
Craft/Prop ArtistMARK BROGAN
Props/Special EffectsDAVID COBB
CarpentersTY M. BURNSDANNY SMITH
Scenic PainterE. (BILL) SLETTE
Swing CrewCARMELO GOMEZ
Costume Shop ManagerGEORGIA FORD WAGENHURST
Costume TechnicianD.J. SEGLER
Costume SewingNATALIE SERGI-SAARISUSIE THENNES
Make-Up DesignerJEANIE L. D'IORIO
Hair StylistDEBRA HERTEL HAEFLING
Costume/Wardrobe AssistantsBRIAN N. BLEVINSJANET BUSH RHONDA RICHARDS
Field ProducerSANDY JANTZEN
Post VideotapeDUDLEY ASAFF
Dialogue EditorDENICE CROWELL
Post Production AudioCRAIG CHASTAIN
Production Office ManagerSUE SHINN
Script SupervisorCATHERINE REYNOLDS
Production CoordinatorsJULIE HUTCHINGSKELLY MAHER
Production AccountantDEBBIE COTTLE
Production SecretaryAUSTIN GRAY
Asst. to Performance DirectorDAVID VOSS
Production AssistantsBRADEN MCDONALDJOEL ZOCH
Barney Music DepartmentJILL HANCECHARLES KING JONATHAN SMITH
For Singleton Productions, Inc.BRADFORD COLEMAN LARRY HARONMIKE PIETZSCH
Educational Research StaffKIMBERLY THORNTON, M.Ed.JOY STARR
Children's TeachersSANDRA GILPIN HAMODY GILPIN
Children's SupervisorsMARY EVANS MAGAN CRAWFORD
Barney and the Backyard Gang™ and Barney & Friends®were originally developed by Sheryl Leach,Kathy Parker and Dennis DeShazer.
Vocal Performances Enhanced with Help fromSingleton Productions, Inc.
"I Love You" • Lyrics by Lee Bernstein (BMI)
Special Thanks toTom Rennen of Intelligent Light Digital ImagingThe Fort Worth Zoo
Original Barney, Baby Bop and B.J.Costumes byIRENE COREY DESIGNASSOCIATES
Produced byTHE LYONS GROUP ANDCONNECTICUT PUBLIC TELEVISION
For Connecticut Public TelevisionExecutives in ChargeLARRY RIFKINSHARON BLAIR
Executive in ChargeRICHARD C. LEACH
BARNEY & FRIENDS • An Adventure in Make-BelieveCopyright 1998 • Lyons Partnership, L.P.