The Siege in Fiqquetti Forest

Fragment of the Hive, Segment 2: The Ambushed

Around four-thirty in the afternoon, the battle began. The ladybugs struck first while the butterflies watched from above. Fire ordered his squad to dodge the attacks instead of engaging. "Don't engage, just dodge their attacks. They're strong but slow," he shouted.

He then instructed his four workers to secretly dig a small underground hut for them. The workers nodded and walked discreetly into a large patch of grass that hid them from the butterflies.

Two hours later, Fire's squad struggled against the ladybugs and had lost much of their food supplies. As the sun set, casting darkness over the Grassland Meadows, the moon became their only light source.

The four workers, following Fire's orders, finished building the small hut. It had two entrances: one for the Tunnel Riders, sealed with a large rock, and another for the ants. One of the workers risked her life to inform Fire about the completed base. Upon hearing this, Fire ordered his squad to bring the Tunnel Riders safely to the hut.

As his squad moved to the hut, Fire prepared for a one-against-all situation. Surprisingly, the ladybugs retreated as night fell. One of General Glasswing's warriors reported, "General, the ladybugs are retreating. Should we attack?"

"Gather a few of our warriors and attack them," General Glasswing ordered, watching the ants vanish among the leaves. "Have they already built their anthill?" he wondered.

Twenty butterflies attacked Fire, who was watching the ladybugs retreat. However, Fire's skill with his wings was so good that the butterflies couldn't catch him. Seizing an opportunity, he entered the makeshift base. The butterflies saw the workers inside dancing and then sealing the entrances.

Frustrated, General Glasswing shouted, "Why? Why! Ladybugs, you useless creatures! I thought you would kill them, but you let them escape! Why didn't I use that opportunity to attack? I'm so useless too!" he blamed himself and the ladybugs.

One butterfly, guarding a patch of grass, noticed movement on the ground. As he tried to warn the others, a stick spear hit him, and he fell lifelessly in front of the other butterflies. General Glasswing ordered his warriors to attack, but they discovered the enemy was the cicadas. The cicadas, armed with sharp stick spears, could pierce the butterflies' leaf blades. General Glasswing engaged in combat with the Cicada General. They fought fiercely, and the Cicada General injured General Glasswing. Seeing their general unable to fight, the butterflies decided to retreat. One of General Glasswing's right-hand warriors helped him escape.

The cicadas knocked at the makeshift base of the ants. The ants cautiously opened the rock door, and were surprised to see the cicadas. Initially, they thought the cicadas might be allied with the butterflies, but their doubts were cleared when the Cicada General spoke.

"Are you all alright?" he asked.

"Yes. What happened to the butterflies?" Fire responded, walking towards them.

"They've retreated," General Chirr, the Cicada General, replied.

"In that case, come on in. There's plenty of space here; we can discuss what happened," Fire said, inviting the cicadas inside.

The ants greeted General Chirr, and Fire said, "Nice to meet you, General Chirr."

Fire then asked, "If you don't mind me asking, how did you know we were here in the Grassland Meadows?"

General Chirr chuckled. "Simple. Your advisor told us you were heading to the Land of Pines and would likely take this route. We also knew this area is home to the ladybugs, who are allied with the butterflies. So after your advisor left, we headed here."

"Wait, who was this advisor?" Fire asked.

"His name is Blaze," General Chirr replied.

"Advisor Blaze? I thought he was going to the Emerald Glade," Fire said, surprised.