DISCLAIMER – A Bug’s Life is the property of PIXAR and Disney. I in no way mean to claim it as mine. I simply am glad someone thought up the idea so people like me could write fan fictions about it.

The walk back through the tunnels of the ant hill seemed exceptionally ominous and silent. Queen Atta felt as though every set of eyes was only looking at her; expecting something, wanting something. However, she new, for the most part these feelings were all in her head. Still she could not block out the chatter springing forth from her colony. The ants around her were shocked and somewhat disbelieving at the sight of their young Queen almost being dragged by the equally young, though much less important Inventor. She knew the news and death of Tabitha would hit the entire colony like a bomb – panic would ensue and chaos would erupt throughout the many tunnels of the anthill...

“Queen Atta?” Flik’s voice was soft as it pulled her from her thoughts, however, she did become a bit testy at his words. This had been the hundredth time today she had been wrestled away from her own pesky thoughts.

“What?” She turned to look at him ripping her arm from his grasp. The young Queen and Inventor had become closer over the past four summers. Atta being only seventeen at the time of the grasshopper crisis had matured even more. Her attitude had changed and most of her fears of ruling over the colony had dissipated, for the most part. As time had passed everyone agreed more and more, that she indeed did have a natural talent with such things. Her mother had become proud of her over the years and Atta had become much surer of herself.

These thoughts suddenly made her self-conscious; she shouldn’t have treated Flik like she had just now. She had grown to love Flik, though she had never admitted it to him. Atta looked at his still form for a moment. Flik’s eyes were so piercing and soft all at the same time – however, they were also filled with worry and sadness. Dot was still within his arms; he had always been so good with the children in the colony. Even when everyone else had hated him or scorned him, many of the children would still believe. Perhaps they saw a little of themselves within him.

Flik had grown taller, not much, but a small amount as the seasons had passed. His carapace had lightened considerably as well. She figured this was due to the fact he worked inside more, after being pronounced the official Ant Island Inventor. She smiled softly, thinking of him. He had always made her smile, “Flik, I am sorry...I did not mean to be short with you...I just...”

“Don’t worry about it Queen Atta,” Flik smiled in return, his worry dissipating as quickly as the dew drops under the warm summer sun, “I can understand your feelings. I just wanted you to know I am behind you 100!” his glance softened even more, as they arrived at her royal chambers, “Don’t worry too much, I am sure the council and I will think of something. Just worry about Dot and your mother right now, alright?”

“Yes...thank you Flik. You will tell me what happens in the meeting won’t you?” she looked at him already knowing his answer.

He bowed slightly and as his smile beamed a loyal radiance, “Of course my Queen...of course.”

She blushed as he laid the still sleeping Dot within her arms and planted a soft kiss upon her cheek. She remembered the first time he had done this back before the bird had even become a reality...she smiled again as she watched the more mature male ant walk briskly toward the council room, but not before he stopped to command to sets of guards to stand outside of her chambers. She soon turned to enter her rooms, and have the inevitable chat with her mother over the unsettling events the morning had brought upon them all.

Flik was walking much faster then he normally did when meeting with the other council members. He was nervous and unsettled...this morning had been the first time he had ever seen such a grotesque display of one of his fellow workers. He had seen dead bodies, but never in the state with which Tabitha had been found earlier that morning. It worried him to no end – he worried for the colony but mostly he worried about Atta. She had been very upset and from what the other council members had said she was also the most prone to these Fire Ant attacks.

Upon entering the council room, he found his fellow associates already there and chattering. Mr. Soil was the first to speak, “Flik, thank goodness you are here. The Queen and Princess are secure, yes?” Mr. Soil, let out a breath he did not realize he was holding at Flik’s silent response, “Good. Now down to business...whatever are we going to do about this problem?”

A grim silence filtered throughout the large room. The truth was honestly that none of them new what to do. Then suddenly Thorny spoke up, “Well,” he sighed heavily, “It seems to me that we have two options. One we can sit here and do nothing, or two we can do our best to defend the colony and our Queen.”

Dr. Flora shook her head, “Thorny, surely you understand how many we would loose if we fought. You must know the casualties would out-weigh the actions. We cannot expect the workers to just die. They are soldiers, they were not meant to be soldiers...”

“That’s right,” Cornelius chimed in, “Not trained, and especially against this sort of enemy...they have come to kill our queens.” Flik’s brow rose at Cornelius’s words, “That’s right my boy, both of them, Dot and Atta.”

Flik’s worried expression deepened and his brow furrowed even more. He had to think of something...suddenly he was in his own world, his thoughts were his own and he began to think of anything which could help them in their dire situation. The circus bugs would not be coming back until the end of the season, and a bird would not fool these enemies. Soon his antennae shot up, “I’ve got it!” the rest of the council became instantly silent at the young inventor’s words. “We trick them into believing our soldiers are already at war!”

The council eyed him with clueless expressions and unanimously spoke, “What?”

Flik looked at them, “We don’t have soldiers, but they don’t know that. We could trick them into believing our soldiers are already off fighting somewhere.” Flik was using dramatic gestures to make his point even more solid, “It is true that there is always two female soldiers left at home to produce more, am I correct?” The Ant Council nodded and Flik continued, “Then Atta and Dot must no longer be referred to as Princess and Queen, they have become soldiers now, our two remaining soldiers who opted to stay here.” The Ant Council’s faces began to light up, “We can fool them – the story can be that our colony was at war and without a Queen due to the massive attacks, sadly she was killed and died with no heir. Hence a male ant had to take over for the colony until another Queen was born.”

“Brilliant...” Mr. Soil, spoke happily. The other ants nodded, all but Cornelius, who spoke softly and dangerously low.

“You would do this Flik? You would put yourself in that position, once more for the good of the colony?” Flik looked up at them with the most serious glance his face had ever carried.

“If it would mean the safety and security of our young rulers, then yes. I would give my own life a million times before I would see either of them hurt.” Flik looked down and the rest of the council nodded in agreement.

“It’s settled then,” Mr. Soil spoke for all of them, “Now...we must hurry, I fear we haven’t much time before the arrival of our guests.”