Find Your Wings

Epilogue

All that seemed like a long time ago.
Possibly, it was a nightmare.
How I wish it was.
I handled that fickle thought like garbage because I could see it in everyone around me, the memory of the hornets remained as the stuff that made stories thick for them to tell.
Yet, today was not a good day for those stories.
Because today was Hatching Day.
*New rains had come and gone, healing the sun burnt land, thus allowing new sprouts and blooms to wake up from the dryness. The sun was hidden by new clouds when they slowly came in to shade the lands below allowing life to blossom and become lush green. The dry river bed stayed the same for a time before two small creaks began to grow on each side of the Island. Soon enough crossing over on foot was impossible unless wings were involved. Luckily, it was up to the new neighbors of the Island after they flew in at the start of this new Spring season.

A small flock lived on by the late Emerald's mate, Flitter who mothered three nests, came all thanks to his last son, Flaps to make home at this lone blossom tree. It was perfect to nest at, being protected by a river from any snakes or lizards. The only ones who surrounded them were the hospitable ants who lived on the small Island at the base. There were flowers peppered all over the grassy land, with flowing water to feed them. There were bushes and trees nearby to collect and harvest for their nests while the ants collected seeds from the grass stalks. Flaps took on his father's burden by becoming the Prime Leader of this flock along with the help of two grasshoppers who his mother took in on his Hatching Day.

Colony's POV
In the south tunnel, a group of young ants were coloring a set of tiny leafs with berry juice. Smothering patterns all over them while giggling with excitement. Of course, the moment was broken when two young boy ants laughed at the youngest and the smallest of the group. Her bandana had a drawing of a bird on it with a grasshopper flying next to it.

"What the heck is that, Spot!? Looks like someone threw up on it..."

"The name is Dot." the small princess countered back, rather confidently as she stared at the two with sharp blue eyes. "For your information, it's Captain Hopper flying with the Bird."

"Not like any of you could ever fly with one." taunted one of the other girl ants.

All at once, the girls all tied their finished projects around their necks.

"Oh yeah, says who?" one the boys cackled before backing right into the leg of a grasshopper.

Molt smirked as he crossed all four arms, staring down at the two. "Only the Captain could answer that." he replied before spotting the projects he was to inspect, since he was now the Blueberries Troop Coach. "Oh, wow! Look at those!" he gawked. "Aw, they're beautiful ~ Dot, oh gosh! Mr. Soil's gonna love these..." he looked at them all before he got to Dot who was feeling shy. "Sweetie, what's the matter?"

"Does it look too messy, Coach Molt? They said it looked like someone threw up on it..." she whispered, hoping those boys won't hear. Flik happened to come in to check on the team.

"Ah, let me see..." Flik seemed thoughtful, taking the leaf. "Wow, Dot! You drew this?"

"It's beautiful!" Molt added, brightly.

"You think Hopper will like it? I spent so much on this leaf that it's starting to get too hard to draw on..."

"Ya know what? He's gonna love it. Believe me, I know." Molt encouraged before an alarm was blown.

Outside, in the great clearing, there was a massive gathering. After enduring that winter, which wasn't as harsh as previously thought, there were spoils harvested when some grew early before the spring rains came. The winter in the tunnels was warm and comfortable, even for the only two grasshoppers there. Hopper had to heal for a while, having to keep his wing in a splint, but his leg was only pulled too hard but not broken. Alas, that one arm was long gone. No matter though. Just as his colony had hoped, the appointed Captain of the Guard was back and alive. Now for the Spring, his wing was back only having a piece of a corner missing. Even when he first came, he was revered for his intelligence and vigor, especially for his own kind. Molt, however, was miraculously never harmed during that fateful battle at the dreaded hive all because of a loyalty and a bond between two brothers. He was appointed to be a teacher for the young future workers of the leafcutters, as well as a close guard for the young and spunky princess, Dot. She was born during the time of tyranny, so she was labeled as a miracle for the colony. No less, her size disguised just how confident she really was. Perhaps those hard times had rubbed off on her. She and her band all ran out of the anthill towards what was a great feast!

The Island was covered in green clovers and bright flowers that beckoned the birds above. The skies were littered with bright white clouds as a soft gust flew over the land. The sweet, reassuring song of water flow

Hatching Day was a new day of rest for Ant Island in respect for the laying mothers of the flock homing in the great blossom. As a matter of fact, it was a number of days because each egg had its own time to hatch, but a sentry above watched to see which of any of the mothers were going to be first. One of them happened to be Speckles... Flaps' own sister. Indeed, it was an important and a very special day for this Island.

Hopper's Narrative
Personally, it was very special to me. I thought I would never see another day like this. So perfect, so soft, calm... with all his hope. I said it myself again that it was too good to be true. Molt had a home, I had a home, even more beautiful than the last. I heard the alarm call, so I flew strongly to the top of the root bridge as everyone gathered. Princess Atta met with me there. When that horn sounded, everyone began to go completely quiet as a peaceful beginning for the new baby birds about to come.

"You beat me every time!" she laughed, her light wings buzzing.

"Can't beat the pros, Princess..." I smirked.

"Just you wait, Captain. I'll outsmart you myself one day."

"Oh, I would love to see you try." I tested as I soon gazed upward at the tree, spying two nests snug between limbs.

"They're going to come any minute, aren't they?"

"At least one. Soon..." I calmly replied, allowing a sort of solemn calm to come over my features.

Atta took it as a surprise, especially on a precious day like this. "What is it, Hopper?"

I looked down in thought for a moment. With that, I simply sighed, knowing I had to express it. It took some beatings to get this far.

"We only lost one that day." I began, looking solely at her with my good eye. "... but this time, we lost no one. Very impressive for an old grasshopper."

Atta had a compassionate look in her eyes. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you..."

Her words meant so much. I shared a smile. "... now you're kissing up." I joked.

She started to laugh. No less, we certainly had new neighbors... Spitz was no exception since... well, it was her aquifer and all. I rolled my eyes as Atta naturally greeted her. "Why hello, Spitz. Welcome!"

"Why thank ya, Highness..." the little termite panted. "... o'course a good boost would've helped these stubby legs—" she prodded at my leg, teasingly.

"Ah-ah well, don't count on your luck." I gently shoved her off a bit. "I'm still a jerk."

"Eh, sure y'are." I heard her grumble as the Island went completely silent.

I was getting used to this way of life now without all that impending doom cycle that I grew so used to. Being with the Colony took all that loneliness away along with new faces as well as the old.
I am sure as ever that I was never going to lose this again. Nothing ever wins me over like the hatching day of a new life.

*
That evening, under the light of the twilight sky, there was a party like never before in celebration of a single egg. Speckles was blessed today and so were we... When that tiny voice sing for the first time from that nest, there came a choir of cheer from down below.
At that moment, my heart was warmed after such a long time.

The End