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Chapter Text

Bugaria was off today, though nobody could really understand why. There was just something unusual about...everything. The "aura", as it were, was not as it tended to be. Though this feeling of (for lack of better words) unease was felt by most in Bugaria, the mystery as to why it was happening led many to not think much of it. Things felt strange, yet most didn't feel necessarily unsafe...not at the moment...

On the Balcony of The Hive, Elias looked around the land with the use of his patented Eliascope. He was stunned by the beauty of the surrounding areas, and quite proud of himself for creating something to so easily observe it all (some might say too proud). Vilma was on the balcony as well, taking in the warm desert air and relaxing.

Vilma: Mr. Elias, that device of yours is quite interesting. You say you can see all throughout Bugaria with it?

Elias: Haha, indeed! See for yourself, Miss.

Vilma giggled as she stepped up and leaned down into the looking glass of the Eliascope, and she was enamored as she used it to scan across the Lost Sands. This was not her first time using it, mind you, but the experience was still so novel and extraordinary for her. This excitement was halted, however, when Vilma froze up. It would seem she caught sight of something odd.

Elias: Miss? Are you well?

Vilma: I-I...I think...I saw something moving...something large...

Elias: Large, you say? Let me see that, if you will.

Vilma stepped aside, allowing Elias to look into his telescope once more, and he was shocked to find a colossal silhouette moving in the distance. After a bit of shuffling the silhouette turned towards his direction, making his blood run cold, before a large arm emerged from the silhouette and pushed away some of the nearby grass. Another arm reached out and patted the ground near the Wasp Kingdom, almost like it was testing it.

Vilma: D-do you see it too?

Elias: I...think I do? There's a giant...thing over there...what is it doing?

More arms came from the silhouette, pushing away the grass and reaching further into the Far Grasslands. The figure then pulled itself into better view, and it was a terrifying sight to behold: it almost resembled a twisted, charred tree branch, with pointy fingers upon twisted hands upon bony arms in large numbers. All over its body were huge, yellow eyes that seemed to cast a light onto whatever they looked upon...and right now multiple were looking straight at Elias.

Vilma: I-I-Is it looking at us???

Elias couldn't talk. He couldn't form any sort of coherent thoughts, but despite this his mind was racing with all sorts of emotions (amazement, shock, confusion), chief among them being sheer terror. This terror grew until the many-armed, many-eyed creature started crawling towards The Hive, at which point Elias fell over and screamed so loud he could even be heard from Defiant Root all the way down below.

Elias: IT IS COMING TOWARDS US!!!!!

Just about every Bug currently on the Balcony rushed over to see what the Mantis was screaming about, and when they saw the same colossus he and Vilma saw they all flew into an unprecedented panic. They were screaming and running, some Bees even started flying off the Balcony to try and escape. Some Bugs kneeled and prayed, hoping that Venus or any other god that was listening would protect them. Vilma, meanwhile, rushed to the Queen Bianca's Throne Room, and the guards were surprised to see the state she was in. Vilma was breathless and her voice was shaking as she tried to speak and open the doors at the same time.

Vilma: B-Belle, Nina, w-w-we we need to tell the Queen!

Belle: Vilma?! What are you doing, why-

Vilma: We need to tell her, she'll know what to do!!!

Vilma burst into the Throne Room, catching Queen Bianca and Tuvi (to whom the Queen was giving reassurance) off guard.

Bianca: Vilma? My goodness, dear, you look like you've seen a ghost.

Vilma: I-it's worse than that!!!

Tuvi: W-w-w-worse than a ghost!?

Vilma: Qu-Qu-Queen B-Bianca! The-the-the Eliascope saw something, it-it was terrible, I-I-

Vilma was panicked like something Bianca had never seen before. She had always been a cheerier soul, and the Queen was morbidly curious as to what she had seen. She often tried to avoid physical force, but Bianca grabbed Vilma by the shoulders and held her still in an effort to calm her down.

Bianca: Vilma, love. Listen to me: What happened? What was it that you saw?

Vilma could do nothing but hyperventilate.

Bianca: Please, Vilma, if it is dangerous you NEED to tell me.

Vilma:...A Giant is moving towards The Hive!!!

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Vi was currently in Queen Elizant II's Throne Room, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. It was hardly appropriate behavior around both fellow explorers and a Monarch but (luckily for Vi and her team) it was hardly noticed.

Elizant: If all is understood, Explorers, then it is time for you to move out. You will-

Suddenly, the palace began to tremble, and the already-annoyed Vi let out a groan in frustration.

Vi: Uuugggghhhh, what now???

Kabbu: A tremor?! I-is everything alright?!

Leif: Gods, we never felt something like that before...

Multiple Ant Guards ran into the Throne Room, all calling out for the Queen in a jumbled panic. Elizant stamped her foot, demanding attention (and also in a bout of frustration).

Elizant: Silence!!! What is so urgent that you all need to stumble over yourselves???

Ant Guard: Th-there is a monster attacking Bugaria! You need to see it!

Elizant: A...monster?

Everyone in the Throne Room quickly ran outside of the Palace, and when they looked up to the East they were all in utter shock.

Kabbu: Th...that is...f-f-far too...b-big!

Leif: What is it?...

Vi was uneasy, to her own surprise: after her team bested the Spider that haunted Snakemouth for so long, and a Guardian created by Venus herself, she honestly wasn't worried by the sounds of this "monster" the guards went on about. She couldn't fathom such a horrifying sight being what they referred to, but it had to be. The last time she was this scared was when she and Kabbu first saw the Spider of Snakemouth. At that time she genuinely wanted to give up for a moment, and go back home...home...Vi took a closer look at the monster, and noticed that it was not looking towards the Ant Kingdom, but the Bee Kingdom.

Vi: Wha-it's moving towards The Bee Hive!!!

Gen: Wh-what?

Eri: Oh no, they're doomed!!!

Vi never imagined something like this happening. She was happy to leave The Hive, and happy not to think of it again...but she didn't want it in peril. Almost childishly, Vi tugged on the Ant Queen's dress to get her attention.

Vi: Queen Elizant! We gotta do something, right? W-we're not just gonna let that thing attack the Bees, r-right?

Elizant bowed her head and didn't answer for a moment: it would seem that she was in deep thought. After some time, she finally looked to Vi in response.

Elizant:...The Bees are our allies...Queen Bianca is a close friend...We shall mobilize and head to the Bee Kingdom posthaste.

Kina: We were going there anyway, right? For the artifact or whatever?

Elizant: We were and still are. Kina, you are to head there and give them the materials they need to replace their core.

Leif: [How could she still be thinking of the Sapling at a time like this?!]

Elizant: Team Snakemouth will join me on the way to the Golden Settlement. From there we shall take the path that leads us to Defiant Root and The Hive.

Kabbu: Oh no, I hope everyone there is safe...

Vi:...Yeah...

Elizant: The rest of you are to evacuate as many Bugs as possible towards the Golden Settlement and keep them as safe as you can.

Celia: Right, Your Highness!

Elizant: Team Snakemouth, we must hurry.

Leif lagged behind and sneered when he knew the Queen can't see him before leaning over to Kabbu and whispering.

Leif: She disgusts us. Who knows what that THING could do and yet she still wants to get the Artifact???

Vi: Who cares? We gotta focus on helping everybody, we can worry about who does and doesn't suck at ruling later!

Kabbu: Vi, you...you have a point, I believe. Leif, we must do what we can now, and other concerns will be dealt with later.

Leif:...You're right...we've got issues with her, but if mobilizing means we can help Bugs in peril, we should...

So the Explorers went about their duties: Team Snakemouth followed the Ant Queen as the other explorers did what they could to gather and calm down the Ant Kingdom citizens. It was difficult, however, as the monster loomed in the distance and continued stomping, sending shockwaves throughout the land...

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Under the Wasp King's orders, the entirety of the Wasp Kingdom was evacuating. The titan that was so close to their hive that it could stomp and crush all of them in but an instant, and they were blessed that it (for whatever reason) had its focus elsewhere. Even still, the Wasp King refused to have his subjects in such a compromising position, so he ordered them all to leave and bring any prisoners and Wasps that couldn't move along with them. The Wasps were in no place to refuse, even if they wanted to: few Bugs would wish to remain near the monster that had just entered Bugaria. The Wasp King himself came to Queen Vanessa II's bedroom, and she looked to him in disgust as he tried grabbing her hand.

Wasp King: Come with me.

Vanessa pulled her arm away.

Vanessa: Don't you dare try to touch me, menace!

Wasp King: The only "Menace" is the one outside my kingdom, now-

Vanessa: Your Kingdom?!

Wasp King: Yes, mine! You are clearly a failure at keeping it orderly, now follow me. I will need soldiers in the future, and you are too useful to lose.

Vanessa: You...

A pair of Wasp Drillers showed up to either side of Vanessa, and she was forced along by them to follow her captor and usurper.

Wasp King: GENERAL ULTIMAX!

The General rushed up to his king, though he was clearly not in his best state of mind either. His legs quivered, and the fear in his voice was palpable.

Ultimax: Y-yes, your highness?

Wasp King: Get into your tank: you are to distract the beast outside so that we can escape.

Vanessa: Distract? Are you asking him to sacrifice himself?!

Wasp King: For the good of the kingdom, you idiotic wench.

Vanessa: How could-

Wasp King: Now, Ultimax! Do NOT fail me!

Ultimax: I...y-yes, your majesty!...

General Ultimax ran to prepare his tank as the Wasp King and his guards brought the Queen outside. When they left the hive they saw droves of Wasps moving through the Far Grasslands. Guards were on the ready to deal with any hostile forces, but there were few to speak of: the colossus had scared all but the Wasps themselves away. Vanessa held her head down, both ashamed and angry, and tried not to look at the state she was in now.

Wasp Guard: My king! We noticed a foreign Mantis running from our grounds, and he was carrying what looked like a small larva: we feel he may have been a spy!

Wasp King: We will deal with him later.

Wasp Guard: Later? But sire, we-

Wasp King: We need to worry solely about ourselves. When we are in a better position we shall search for and eliminate this "spy", but for now you shall do as you are told!

Vanessa: Hoaxe, you are vile and heartless.

Wasp King: I know how to get what I want. You are pathetic and ignorant. Really, I should have been made king long ago, I understand how to put my kingdom's needs first.

Vanessa was about to say more when she caught sight of the monster they were evacuating from. Just one of its limbs was taller than the entirety of her hive, and they were numerous enough that counting them felt fruitless.

Vanessa: Is...is that the Deadlander Omega?

Suddenly, the creature looked down to see Vanessa and those keeping her hostage. It was just about to stomp on them when the Wasp King blasted multiple of its eyeballs with fire.

Wasp King: FASTER, ALL OF YOU!!!

The Wasps did as they were told, evacuating as the Deadlander roared. Vanessa wasn't even sure if Hoaxe's attack had damaged it, but that worry was overtaken by a separate one when the Ultimax Tank drove in and shot at the beast further. Vanessa reached out in fear as the general drew the enormous monster's attention.

Vanessa: Fuff, no!

Wasp King: Silence, fool, and move!!!

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As Team Snakemouth and Queen Elizant II trekked through the Lost Sands, they were able to catch more and more glimpses of the monster, the Deadlander Omega, to the East. It was seemingly in combat, fighting off blasts from something. Though the creature's sheer size made it clear as day, what exactly it was fighting was hard to make out at the distance they were watching from.

Vi: If...if that thing's in a fight...we can take it out too, can't we?

Leif: Well, that depends on if it's taking any damage in its "fight", and we aren't too sure of that.

Elizant: As long as the monster is distracted, that is all that matters for now. We must reach The Hive quickly, then we can make other plans.

Kabbu's arm was tugged by a small tendril, and he was lightly pulled to a spot behind a rock to find one of Venus's Buds. Vi and Leif slipped away from the Queen as they shared in Kabbu's shock.

Kabbu: V-Venus! Is that you? Why-

Venus: No time to explain, Kabbu! I have something important to tell you: a giant-

Leif: Monster's attacking Bugaria? We figured that out, we're afraid.

Venus: Ha...I should've guessed, with how big it is...you're not going to try and fight it, are you?

Vi: We fought a Goddess and won, right? I'm sure we can find a way to fight this thing!

Venus: You fought a guardian of a goddess that she made in less than a minute. This creature...it's on a whole other level.

Leif: Can't you do anything to stop it, then?

Venus: Unfortunately, I only have so much power...what's more...that power is waning.

Kabbu: Waning?

Venus: It's a long story, and I'm not sure even I fully get it, but the important thing is that a force that was felt within the very land here is gone, or at least weaker. I think that's why that monster's attacking in the first place.

Vi: What're we supposed to do with that info???

Venus: You're supposed to be careful, okay? Just...watch yourselves...protect yourselves...I'm not sure how much I can do.

Kabbu:...We shall do what we can, Venus. May your blessing guide us forward.

Vi and Leif nodded in affirmation with Kabbu before all three of them slipped back to Queen Elizant's side.

Elizant: Team Snakemouth! Where have you been?

Vi: Uhh, we tripped?

Elizant:...No matter. We cannot afford to stall any longer...

By the time the group made it to Defiant Root, just about everyone there was gone: the Bees had evacuated them to the Golden Settlment (leaving it rather crowded there now), though the feeling of unease was no less prevalant.

Kabbu: Gods, I was hoping my next time coming here would be...more pleasant...

Vi:...

Leif: It is what it is, all we can do is try and protect as many as we can...

Elizant: We must get the artifact, and then we will discuss further plans.

Elizant moved towards the elevator of the Bee Hive, encountering a large, shivering Bee.

Elizant: Are you the one that runs the el-

Big Bee: AH! S-S-STAY BACK!!!

Vi: Aebees, it's fine! We're not-

Aebees: Vi? VI, HOLY CRAP, I WAS SCARED THAT THING GOT YOU OR-

Vi: It didn't, okay? Now c'mon, we need to meet with the Queen, we gotta get the artifact!

Aebees: A-artifact? Like what that Mantis earlier was talking about?

Kabbu: Kina! Yes, Kina came earlier to deliver the materials with which you can build a replacement for your Honey Factory Core!

Aebees: I-I don't understand any of that, I just know that there's a giant monster in the distance fighting something and I don't wanna be here!

As Aebees said, the Deadlander was still in combat, and it roared in pain and fury as its opponent fired more blasts into its eyes. It slammed into the ground several times, just barely missing its target, before Elizant turned to Aebees.

Elizant:...Have us raised up. We will resolve our situation in The Hive, and you may evacuate to the Golden Settlement.

Aebees: You're gonna stop the monster!?

Elizant: We need you to let us up.

Aebees: O-okay, okay! Just...please try and hurry. I'm not sure how long whatever's over there is gonna be distracted...

Queen Elizant nodded before she and Team Snakemouth boarded the elevator and were brought up to The Hive. As they were lifted, they heard the roaring of the Deadlander Omega and saw it pick something up.

Kabbu: That beast...can it truly be stopped?

Vi: You can kill anything if you hit it hard enough!

Leif: For now we need to focus on helping each other...we need to focus on keeping everybody safe...

Leif glared at Elizant, and perhaps he was lucky that she was too busy with her own thoughts to notice...

Once the group made it into The Hive and past its scanners, they spotted various Bugs in varying states of panic. Each roar of the Deadlander sent more terror into these Bugs, but Elizant was steadfast as she looked for Queen Bianca. It didn't take long to find her, as she had been outside her Throne Room and trying to calm the others for a while now. When she spotted Elizant she was quick to run over and take the Ant Queen's hands into her own.

Bianca: Elizant! Oh, thank the gods that you are safe! Was it hard to get here? Were you attacked?

Elizant: I am fine, Bianca, thank you for your concern. However, I have-

Bianca: Oh! Violet!

Queen Bianca quickly picked up Vi and hugged her for dear life. In any other case Vi would be quick to push herself off of whoever would squeeze her like this, though for now she merely asked to be put down repeatedly.

Bianca: Oh, my darling! My dear, dear, daughter! I am so sorry we pushed you away, I never wanted you in so much danger, please tell me you're unharmed, please-

Vi: Queen Bianca, I'm good! Just, p-put me down! We got things to do!

Bianca stopped for a moment, as if she had realized how unusual she was acting, and put Vi down with a calmness much unlike what she was just displaying.

Bianca: Y-you are right, Vi. I...I apologize for that. I meant what I said, however, we shouldn't have-

Vi: Mo-Q-Queen Bianca...Queen Elizant needs something.

Elizant was silent, but one could sense a sort of unease coming from her. Almost a sort of regret.

Bianca: Oh yes...the...the trade that Team Maki mentioned. They are explorers of yours, correct, Elizant?

Elizant: We need that trade done as swiftly as possible, Bianca. As soon as it is complete we can focus on evacuation and protection, as well as what we should do about...the creature.

Bianca:...I am very sorry, Elizant. I know we had a deal...but I cannot agree to it at the moment.

Elizant pulled her hands out of Bianca's, but before she could say anything Kabbu gasped and got the Bee Queen's attention himself.

Kabbu: Wait, Queen Bianca, you mentioned Team Maki...Did Sir Maki come here?

Maki: Yes, Kabbu.

Elizant and Team Snakemouth were shocked to notice Maki walking up behind him, a grey Caterpillar by his side.

Vi: Wait, is that a baby? Where'd you find a baby???

Maki: That does not matter, Vi. Yin here was in an unsafe position, near that Giant, and I refuse to have left her alone there.

Yin: Muh...

Elizant:...Bianca...Ple-...Listen to me, we must-

Elizant stopped suddenly, and drew out her swords before jumping forward and getting into a battle stance.

Elizant: You!

On another side of the area was the Wasp King, soldiers surrounding him, Queen Vanessa in tow...

Chapter Text

Queen Elizant II pointed both of her blades towards the Wasp King, and his soldiers pointed their spears right back towards Elizant and her Explorers. Queen Bianca looked back and forth between the two factions in fear and confusion before raising her hands and speaking up.

Bianca: Wh-what is happening??? Elizant, who is...

Bianca was shocked to notice Vanessa II behind the Wasp King, a pair of her own guards blocking her from both sides with their spears.

Bianca:...Is that the Wasp Queen?

The Wasp King let out a chuckle as the captive Vanessa II glared at him.

Wasp King: She is "Queen" of nothing. You may refer to me as the Wasp King, the sole ruler of the Wasp Kingdom!

Bianca: But...Wasps don't have Kings...

The Wasp King chuckled again before bowing lightly to the Bee Queen.

Wasp King: You are Queen Bianca, of the Bees, correct? Charmed, I'm sure.

Elizant: Do not feign pleasantries, you horrible tyrant, your minions have been attacking my people for moons now!

Vanessa lowered her head in shame once more.

Bianca:...How did you and yours get into my hive anyway, Wasp..."King"?

Wasp King: Well, as I would hope you are aware, we Wasps are just as capable of flight as you Bees. As such, my troops and I merely flew up to your hive's Balcony and made our way in.

Bianca: You snuck into my kingdom!?

Wasp King: "Snuck" is a strong word, we were faced with light opposition.

Bianca was disgusted with the Wasp King then, but before she could say anything a wheezing, dusty Hornet stumbled his way into The Hive's Hub.

Vanessa: Fuff!

Wasp King: General Ultimax?! I told you to distract the monster, you worthless imbecile!

General Ultimax: I...I-I tried, y-your highness...it chucked my t-tank like...like a pebble...I landed deep into the Lost Sands...

Bianca: Good gods, are you injured?

Ultimax was about to answer, but before he could (and before the Wasp King could insult him any further) the Deadlander Omega roared once again. Quickly, many of the Bugs there ran to the Balcony to view the creature, and at that point it was scarily close: it had an arm or two in the Lost Sands now, and its gaze was once again fixated on The Hive.

Ultimax: IT'S HEADING STRAIGHT FOR US!

Bianca: N-nobody panic! Dr. H.B. has been tweaking her strongest machines for hours now, and hopefully they'll be able to ward the monster off!

Dr. H.B. caught the attention of all there when she walked in, huge remote control in her hands, and gave off her signature laugh.

H.B.: C'mon, Bianca, you say "hopefully" like victory isn't guaranteed. Sit back, all of you, and watch some masterfully made machinery do its work!

With a swift motion, H.B. hit a button on her remote and sent several flying Drones out of the Honey Factory and towards the giant Deadlander. Quickly the creature was surrounded by them, and as it shifted its many gazes in (what looked like) curiosity the biggest of the drones spoke.

Heavy Drone B-33: Target sighted. Preparing missile barrage.

Bee-Boops: Readying honey blasters.

Right then did the Bee-Boops started firing blobs of honey at one of the Omega's hands, and before it could fight back it received several missiles to its eyes from the Heavy Drone B-33. The monster roared again, and though it lifted a hand to fight it was slightly weighed down by all the honey.

H.B.: Haha! Witness the power of Bee Technology, boys and girls!!!

The Omega used some of its free hands to grab multiple Bee-Boops and tossed them full-speed towards Defiant Root, breaking holes into several buildings. One even hit the tree itself, leaving a deep mark. Bianca gasped in horror at this sight as H.B. grumbled and started hitting more buttons on her remote. The remaining Bee-Boops continued firing as they circled around, and the Heavy Drone started blasting lasers into the Omega's eyes in the hopes of ending it. Though the monster seemed to be pained, it still managed to swat and smash all the Bee-Boops surrounding it. It even knocked away the Heavy Drone, much to H.B.'s annoyance.

H.B.: Damn it! Come on, come ooooon!

Though it struggled to rise off the ground, the Heavy Drone did eventually make it into the air and even managed to fire off more lasers. These ones missed their targets, however, instead hitting a few of the Omega's wrists. The monster still reacted strongly to these blows and roared as it smashed the Heavy Drone again.

H.B.:...Alright, ya big bastard...if that's how you wanna play...

The Heavy Drone got up once more and started charging for one last hurrah of an attack. The Omega started moving towards it again, and once it rose an arm to strike the Heavy Drone blasted forward at an intense speed, intending to ram into the monster...said monster proceeded to grab the machine, seemingly unaffected by its "ramming". It squeezed the robot in its grasp, breaking it even further. Eventually the Heavy Drone B-33 was no longer in H.B.'s control, and it uttered one last phrase as it started intensely sparking.

Heavy Drone B-33: Damage capacity exceeded. Activating self-destruct sequence.

In an instant the machine had exploded, destroying one of the Omega's hands and causing it to stumble backwards into the Metal Lake. While the creature was stunned for the moment, its massive body caused the displaced water to flood various surrounding areas: the lower levels of the Rubber Prison were filled, much of the water splashed into the Far Grasslands, a third of the Lost Sands were turned to mud, the Ant Kingdom pier was all but destroyed, Metal Island was in ruin, and Bugs scrambled to help each other as many had been pushed into the lake's waters.

Meanwhile, everyone on the Hive's Balcony watched in varying levels of shock and terror. All except H.B., who was forcing out a laugh of "victory".

H.B.: Well, heh...we did manage to ward it off-

Bianca: You cannot possibly consider that a success, Honey Bee!!!

Vi: I mean...i-it is away from The Hive...

Leif: But we doubt it'll be away for long, not to mention the damage it's causing to everywhere else.

Wasp King:...Well, it would appear that Bee weapons can't stop it, and even Wasp weapons seem to struggle...and from what I know of Elizant's forces, I highly doubt they'll be able to do anything.

Queen Elizant II clenched her fist and glared at him.

Wasp King: I refuse to abandon this land [not when I did so much to gain control of it...], so if there are other options for us to fight the Deadlander Omega with I demand to hear them.

The others stood around trying to think of a solution, though some of them were too preoccupied with fear over what the monster may do next. Some were worried for the wellbeing of the Bugs in the areas it attacked, directly or otherwise. After a while, Vanessa spoke up to make a suggestion.

Vanessa: I have heard that the Termite Kingdom has excellent weaponry: if we cannot stop the Deadlander Omega, then they may be our next best bet.

Wasp King: Then I shall gather some troops and head there posthaste!

Vanessa: Wait, Hoaxe...

The Wasp King grumbled upon hearing her say that name...

Vanessa:...I think you should go with Elizant.

Elizant and Team Snakemouth were surprised by the suggestion, but the Wasp King's only reaction was to scoff.

Wasp King: And what makes you feel I care what YOU think?

Vanessa: If the...rulers of both the Wasp and the Ant Kingdoms talk with the Termites, they'll be more likely to understand the gravity of the situation. Thus, they'll be more likely to give you their weaponry, or at least help use it to beat the monster.

Wasp King: Ha! I don't need them to give me their weapons: I need only take them!

Vanessa: Yes, take the weapons we've no idea how to use. Cause conflict amongst the Bugs of this land and help breed disaster when a colossal beast is already threatening us on its own!

The Wasp King growled, not knowing how to refute her logic. Meanwhile, Elizant stepped forward and spoke, though her previously strict-sounding tone had slipped into one more of concern.

Elizant: W-with all due respect...the relationship between the Termite Kingdom and my own has...fallen...I doubt they will accept or listen to me at all.

Vanessa: We need to try, Elizant. There needs to be some way we can stop this monster, and right now it would seem that the Termites are our only chance.

Leif: But...what if they can't stop it?

Vanessa:...We cannot spend all our time worrying about that of which we are uncertain. We must do what know we can, and work to help all we can.

The Wasp King rolled his eyes and scoffed once more.

Wasp King: Ugh, enough of your preaching, Vanessa. Elizant, you are going to join me and my troops on our way to the Termite Kingdom.

Elizant: Team Maki will be coming with me. They are my strongest explorers, and-

Wasp King: Do you not trust me and my soldiers to keep you safe?

Elizant only glared at him further. He couldn't see her face, but he knew how she was looking at him and he knew how she felt about him. There was a tense silence for a moment, one that was broken by Kina walking in with a groan.

Kina: So I really did bring all that junk here for NOTHING, huh?

Maki: Kina...

Kabbu cleared his throat and brought himself forward, both to make a request of his own and also to try and take attention away from Kina's remark.

Kabbu: I-if I may request, your majesty, I suggest that me and my team come with you as well!

Vi: Yeah! I don't want that thing attacking our home either: I'll make the Termites help, one way or another!

While Kabbu scolded Vi for her implications, Elizant put a hand to her chin and thought for a moment.

Elizant:...Very well, Team Snakemouth. You can accompany us as well. We shall hasten work on the Tunnels and have them lead to the Termite Dome, then-

Wasp King: We've no time to wait for digging, you fool! The Termites have a dock, my troops shall carry us through there and we will meet with the Royals then.

Leif: Wouldn't they be opposed to us coming in unannounced?

Wasp King: Ha! The Bees were "opposed" and we came in anyhow!

Now Bianca started glaring at the Wasp King, having grown to hate him in a manner unlike how she felt for most other Bug. In such a short time, too.

Wasp King:...Besides, as you can see, the Deadlander is causing flooding all over the land: the Termites will be too busy with that to fight us off well.

Kabbu: I...I don't want to attack them-

Wasp King: We will attack whomever we must, you idiotic Dung Beetle!

Tensions were high all around: clearly the alliance was not going to be an easy one. Even the little Caterpillar, Yin, was worried, so she started huddling next to Maki for comfort.

Maki:...Queen Elizant...I would like to come, but I need to keep Yin safe...I cannot trust she will be with that Wasp King around.

Wasp King: I don't believe you have a choice, do you?

Bianca: I-if I may interject, Sir Maki...You may leave Yin with me. I like to think I am quite good with larvae: I will protect her to the best of my ability until you return.

Yin: Muh!

Maki thought about it for a minute, and when he was done he nodded and brought Yin into Queen Bianca's arms.

Maki: Please protect her, Queen Bianca.

Bianca: Of course, Sir Maki, I will do my best. I shall do everything in my power to ensure this little darling is happy and healthy!

Bianca raised Yin up and started lightly playing with her before being interrupted by the Wasp King.

Wasp King: On the subject of ensuring safety...General Ultimax!

Ultimax forced himself to stand at ready, in spite of how afraid he was feeling at that moment.

Ultimax: Y-yes, your highness!!!

Wasp King: You and some soldiers are to stay with Vanessa, keep her...safe...

The Wasp King leaned closer to Ultimax, keeping his voice low enough so that only he could hear.

Wasp King: [You and your troops are to keep an eye on Vanessa. If she seems to be planning anything, you are all to put a stop to it. Do I make myself clear?]

Ultimax:[...Y-yes, sire...]

The Wasp King nodded before calling a few of his tropes to go with Ultimax. A few others moved to stand with the King himself, and a few more moved to stand with Team Maki, Team Snakemouth, and Queen Elizant II.

Elizant:...Why must you bring so many of your soldiers?

Wasp King: To carry us, for what reason do you think?

Elizant was silent, but The Wasp King didn't care. The two glared at each other once more before Elizant crossed her arms in annoyance.

Elizant:...Are your troops not going to carry us down?

Wasp King: Ha! Why doe we need to use that if the Bees have an elevator? Use your head, woman...Follow me!

The Wasp Troopers sounded off in compliance, and they all start following the Wasp King. With little other choice, Elizant and her Explorers followed along (though none were happy about their current situation). Before Elizant was too far off, though, Bianca called for her.

Bianca: Elizant...I wish you the best of luck, I pray that you and your Explorers and your children will be unharmed...

Bianca looked to Vi, who was grumbling as she walked with her teammates. After a moment she looked to Elizant with a look more worried than she would ever show to most.

Bianca:...Please help ensure mine are as well...

Elizant:...I will do my best, Bianca. I will try-

Wasp King: Hurry up, wench!

Elizant clenched her fist again and quickly turned around, following The Wasp King in spite of her frustration. Bianca, meanwhile, sighed and held Yin close. Both she and Vanessa walked back into The Hive, heading for Bianca's Throne Room, Wasp Troopers surrounding both of them. Ultimax was following too, as was a frustrated Dr. H.B.

The doctor sighed before looking up at Ultimax.

H.B.:...Hey, uhhh...Fuff, right?

Ultimax: Wha-My name is General Ultimax-

H.B.: Yeah, yeah. That Wasp King guy said you were distracting the monster, right? How were you doing that?

Ultimax: With my tank! The Ultimax Tank, the perfect-

H.B.: What's a tank?

Ultimax: Will you stop-ugh...it's a sort of war machine, a big, bulky, wheeled vehicle with multiple guns and missiles and-

H.B.: What!? Since when did Wasps have those!?

Ultimax: We pride ourselves on our military prowess!!! Now quit wasting my time.

Ultimax turned away from H.B. and started moving faster into The Hive. The scientist, meanwhile, was very excited by the revelation, and was quick to follow the Wasps inside

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The feelings of trepidation and distrust felt by Elizant, The Wasp King, and their followers never left, even as they all moved through the Lost Sand towards Metal Lake. Vi clutched her Beemerang the entire time, ready to attack the Wasps at a moment's notice, and many of the Wasps shot threatening glares back at the Explorers now and again (though they'd often be frightened off by Kina's own glare). At any rate, the group made it to the eastern edge of the Lost Sands, in which a large hole was made by the Deadlander Omega. It was a well-known secret that the Sands were surrounded by massive walls, but this wasn't given much thought until now, when one was busted through by a creature bigger than most settlements.

Kabbu: Goodness...we really are small, aren't we?...To think that we now call that giant creature our adversary...

Vi: Is it a Giant? Apparently it's called a "Deadlander Omega" or something, but what's a Deadlander?

Kabbu: The Deadlanders are fearsome monsters, unlike any you'd find in your average grasslands. We had to encounter them often in the North.

Leif: But were any of this size?

Kabbu: No...I could never before fathom that a creature so large could exist, let alone how it would interact with us.

Wasp King: Will the lot of you quiet down? Your cowardice will only get in our way...

Kina: Who are you calling cowards, you-

Wasp King: SHHHHHHHHH...Look...

The Wasp King pointed, at the nearby Deadlander Omega. It was still reeling from the Heavy Drone's self-destruction, many of its arms in the Metal Lake, though a few of its eyes were still open.

Wasp King: We need to be careful, and quiet as we can be. My soldiers shall carry us and fly us from here to the Termite Kingdom Docks. I would suggest staying still until we get there, because if we will NOT be stopping to pick up any that fall.

Leif: What if you fall, then?

The Wasp King chuckled lightly, yet disgustingly.

Wasp King: I am the King: I trump all of you in importance.

Elizant: Do not forget that Vanessa's plan involved both of us speaking with the Termites, cretin.

Wasp King: I have NOT forgotten, Elizant, though if you are foolish enough to drown on the way there I will gladly attempt my original plan and take the weapons by force!

Elizant was about to bite back at The Wasp King, but Maki placed a hand onto her shoulder in protest.

Maki: Your Highness, remember what Queen Vanessa said: is it really so wise for conflicts to rise between our groups when that monster is causing so much chaos?

Wasp King: Ugh, you lot keep bringing up Vanessa! And she is no Queen, I already said! Bah...Soldiers! We shall begin our flight to the Termite Kingdom now: fly low, avoid the creature's gaze when you can, and keep your mouths SHUT until we get there.

Wasps: Yes, Wasp King!

The Wasps started getting into formation: each Bug there got two Wasps to lift them up at once (except for Elizant, who got three, and Vi, who got one). As soon as the "passengers" were relatively comfortable, the Wasps quickly got to flying. Luckily for them all, the eyes on the Deadlander that were open were mostly pointing away from their general direction. As they flew southwards towards the Termites, the group were all very tense: most of them struggled to stay still and quiet, with the Explorers in particular not fully trusting the Wasps that carried them. Vi in particular was very annoyed, and she made that clear to the Wasp that was holding her.

Vi: Ugh, will you not grip me so hard?! You're hurting me!

Wasp: Shut your trap, brat, before I drown you...

Vi: I dare you, jerk!

Wasp King: Both of you be quiet! We may attract...

Suddenly, a menacing light shined onto the group of Bugs, and they could barely contain their dread once they had realized it: the Deadlander Omega's eyes were scanning the area, looking for something, anything...and it spotted them. It spotted several Bugs flying and being carried, and it started to slowly move towards them, every second or third step splashing another wave of water onto the already-damaged areas around it. The Wasps and their temporary allies didn't know why it chased them: was it through hunger? Curiosity? Malice? They all knew they couldn't scare the creature off, they knew that they couldn't reason with it (what with not knowing anything about it), and they knew that they couldn't fight it as they were, so they panicked. The Wasps flew erratically, and faster than what made their "passengers" comfortable, in the hopes that they could potentially dodge the Deadlander. Vi, meanwhile, was buzzing her own wings and trying to get out of her Wasp Carrier's hold.

Vi: LEMME GO! I DON'T WANT IT TO EAT ME, LEMME GO!!!

Wasp: Quit scrambling, you stupid kid, you'll-

They were both interrupted by a wave that crashed into them, launching them forward. Elizant and her Explorers were horrified, Kabbu and Leif were in particular, and the Beetle reached out in vain to try and grab his comrade.

Kabbu: VI!!!

Leif thought quickly and launched an icy projectile towards the water where Vi and the Wasp were about to land. It formed a floating of platform of ice, big enough to keep both the Bee and the Wasp out of the water, though they landed onto it hard enough to still be harmed.

Vi: Owwwww...

Elizant: Wasp King! We must mobilize to rescue Vi and her ally!

Wasp King: We will not stop for anything! Do you think we will last if we halt every time one of you pests stumble!?

Elizant: But we need them!

Leif scowled at Elizant: "But we need them!" she said, as if a pair of Bugs (one being still being a child) were but tools to her. Not that the Wasp King was any better, with his lack of care for them being apparent. Leif looked away from the Royals, both in disgust and to make sure Vi was safe. For her part, Vi forced the Wasp off and painstakingly rose to her feet, only to turn around and notice the Deadlander Omega striding towards her. She stood still for a moment, paralyzed, until the colossal monster took a step large enough to send yet another wave her way. Face-to-face with the threat this time, Vi's fight-or-flight instinct made the rare choice of flight, and as she buzzed away (leaving the still-damaged Wasp on the icy platform) she screamed a cry of pure terror: the type of cry one makes when faced with little other options. A desperate cry. The Wasp on the ice had barely gotten himself up before the wave assaulted him, launching him forcefully into the water and bringing him to flail as he struggled to stay afloat.

Wasp: HELP! HELP M-

The Deadlander grabbed the Wasp, and focused a few of its eyes on him as it lifted him up towards itself. The bright light emanating from its many eyeballs pained his, yet the sheer force of its grip made it hard for him to move at all, let alone look away.

Vi had made her way to the Wasps carrying her teammates and just barely caught onto Kabbu's hand. He could see her face stained with terrified tears, the likes nothing they knew of would normally bring from her.

Kabbu: V-Vi?! Are you well??? Are you-

Kabbu looked to the monster and noticed the Wasp in its claws. He wasn't sure if it would eat him or crush him or even truly intentionally harm him, but in his own terror Kabbu was in no mood to find out.

Kabbu: That Wasp!!! We need to help him!

The Wasp King: Silence, you utter idiot! We cannot risk the beast delaying us any further: He got himself caught, anyway. We only need to worry about reaching the Capitol!

Leif glared at the Wasp King once more: between Elizant and now this tyrant, Leif was starting to lose his respect for royalty. Suddenly he formed a chunk of ice in his hands, and he launched it towards the Deadlander Omega, less in the hopes of damaging it and more in the hopes of making it release the poor Wasp. Though the frosty magic managed to catch the Beast's attention, it still held tight to the captive Wasp as it continued moving towards the group.

Kina: ARE YOU CRAZY, WHY'D YOU DO THAT?!?!?!?!

Leif: We're not sacrificing each other! We live together or we die together!

The Wasp King: You worthless fool! Soldiers, drop him!!!

Before anyone else could object, the Wasps carrying Leif let go of him, leaving him at the mercy of the monster and the Metal Lake.

Kabbu: NO!!!

Kabbu forced himself out of his Wasp's hands and dived towards Leif, leaving a terrified Vi to zip down after him: she did feel it wasn't the wisest idea, but her care for her teammates superceded her self-preservation, at least in that instance.

Maki: Team Snakemouth!

Maki immediately got to trying to remove himself from his own carrier, barely being slowed down by both the Wasp's struggles and Kina's shouts in protest.

The Wasp King: Gods, are you all so pitiful!? We should just abandon all of you!

Before Elizant could retaliate she was alerted by a cry from Kabbu: he, Vi, and Leif managed to survive their fall, with Leif having quickly made an ice platform big enough for all three of them.

Kabbu: Hurry forward, Your Majesty! We'll hold the Deadlander off!!!

Elizant: Kabbu!? Wasp King, we-

The Wasp King: SILENCE OR ALL OF YOU WILL BE DROWNED!!! WASPS, DO NOT STOP MOVING FORWARD!!!

Without question did his soldiers keep flying, and as much as it pained Elizant she knew that neither she nor Team Maki could do anything if they were to fall. Maki and Kina watched Team Snakemouth helplessly as Elizant turned away, her expression hidden as always. Team Snakemouth, meanwhile, stared up at the Deadlander Omega as it moved towards them, towering over them. Vi shakily grasped a few Needles and turned to her teammates.

Vi: "W-w-we live together...or we die together..."right, Leif?

Leif placed hand on both of his teammates' shoulders and nodded.

Leif: Right.

Kabbu: Do you hear that, menace!!! We do not fear you! We shall fight against any threat to protect those we care for!

The Deadlander didn't understand Kabbu, perhaps didn't even hear him, and instead emotionlessly brought a hand directly onto him, his allies, and the platform they stood on. Team Maki stared in shock, even Kina being horrified into silence...and this horror was turned to confusion when the behemoth pulled its hand out of the water, seemingly grasping a small orb. This orb contained Team Snakemouth, scared and shivering with the exception of Leif. Leif was covering his face for a moment before he realized the position he and his allies were in. Almost instinctively, Leif put out his hands and held them against the inner walls of the orb. Though the Wasps continued flying towards the Termite Dome, Elizant and Team Maki shared Team Snakemouth's bewilderment as the giant Deadlander did little more than stare at the orb and the tiny creatures within.

Vi: I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die ...

Kabbu: Leif...how...what is this?

Leif: Oh, buddy, if we knew we'd have been doing it a looooooong time ago.

The trio looked around and at each other in confusion for a while, before being interrupted by the Deadlander shaking the orb they were protected by: first lightly, then faster. Leif's face showed clear signs of struggle during the shaking, and though he wished to shout at the monster he couldn't help but feel that he should conserve his energy. Vi, on the other hand, had no such feeling.

Vi: GODS' SAKES, EITHER KILL US OR LEAVE US ALONE, YOU GIANT FUCKING CREEP!!!!!

The Deadlander Omega suddenly stopped shaking and brought the orb closer to one of its eyes, immediately freezing Team Snakemouth in terror.

Kabbu: Did...did it hear you?

Vi: If you heard me I didn't mean it.

The creature continued to stare at them and growled in a manner that strangely sounded more inquisitive than threatening. At any rate, it didn't stare for long before carelessly lobbing the orb towards the Termite Kingdom docks. The orb soared and spun through the air, nearly hitting the Wasp King himself (getting a frustrated cry out of him). Though this was the direction they were headed anyway, Team Snakemouth's fellow Explorers (as well as Elizant herself) called and reached out to them as they flew past, trying in vain to help them.

Elizant: No!!!

Team Snakemouth themselves screamed as they spiraled past before they crashed onto the ground in the Termite Dome. All three Bugs were terribly dizzied from the throw, and had barely the balance or stamina to speak, let alone get up.

Vi: Uuuuuugh, my baaaack! Is this how it feels to be an old lady?!

Before Kabbu or Leif could try and comfort Vi, the trio had several blades and crossbows pointed at them from various Termite Guards.

Termite Guard: You there, where the hell did you come from!?

Kabbu rolled over onto his belly, though his fatigue prevented him from getting up fully. Even still, he raised his arms to show he was no threat and spoke as quickly and clearly as his mind could allow him after having just been tossed like a pebble.

Kabbu: W-w-we are Explorers, from the Ant Kingdom, and we wish to speak to your monarchs!!!

Termite Guard: Ant Kingdom? In what damn world would our monarchs want to speak to anybody from the Ant Kingdom?

Before Kabbu could answer further, the Wasp King and his troops landed, bringing with them Elizant and Team Maki.

Termite Guard: What the-the Ant Queen??? And-who are you supposed to be?!

Wasp King: We require your kingdom's finest weaponry, bring us to it at once!

Termite Guard: Are you mad!? At least answer our question first!

Wasp King: I asked you no questions, I am issuing COMMANDS!

The Wasp King began charging a large fireball, and the Termites were too paralyzed by fear to respond. Before he could throw it, however, he was tackled by Leif. The attack knocked both of them to the floor, and the Wasp King's crown fell of his head and clinked around on the tough dome ground for a bit. Leif noticed that the Wasps they had come with looked strangely...fatigued. They held their heads and groaned, looking pained and dizzied. Before anyone could ask anything the Wasp King angrily put his crown back on and shoved Leif off of him.

Wasp King: Soldiers, fight off those Termites!!!

No sooner than him shouting that did the Wasps seemingly recover and go straight to assaulting the Termite Soldiers. Vi and Kina quickly got ready to fight as well before stopping when Queen Elizant held out her arm.

Elizant: Explorers, stop fighting! Wasp King, we specifically wanted-

Elizant cried out in shock when a fireball zipped past her, blasting into a nearby wall.

Wasp King: Be SILENT, you idiotic embarrassment of Royalty!

Elizant: How dare you...

Quickly, the Wasp King pulled out his axe as the Ant Queen pulled out her swords. They clashed their weapons for but a moment before a large hand crashed through the roof of the Termite Dome. Some Bugs were quick to jump out of the way as soon as it came in, and many of the others proceeded to run around in a panic as more and more of the colossal claws broke into the isolated kingdom.

Termite Guard: IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!!

Kabbu: P-p-please, calm down! W-we-

Vi: WE NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!!!

Leif: Vi, chill out!!!

As the Bugs inside the Termite Dome scrambled to avoid being trampled, the Deadlander Omega outside had no clue what it was even doing. In spite of the destruction it was causing, the creature didn't see what was in the dome, and almost seemed to be trying to feel around in the hopes of finding out. It took a few more steps, these ones away from the dome and deeper into the Forsaken Lands, but for one of its steps it halted for a moment and stared into the fog. Though none of its many eyes showed any emotion, the Deadlander had an apprehensive sort of aura about it. The colossal beast shuddered before it started heading away from the Termite Kingdom and towards the Ant Kingdom. As its legs broke through more of the Termite Dome, the shock and terror amongst the Bugs inside worsened until they all stopped. Once the Deadlander Omega had left they all stood there, confused, with little remaining of the monster's presence but the structures it destroyed and the sound of its footsteps in the distance.

Termite Guard:...What the fuck was that?

Kabbu: That was the Deadlander Omega, a gigantic menace that has been spreading terror and causing chaos all over Bugaria [though we know not what it wants, if anything] and we all traveled over the Metal Lake because we were hoping you and your kingdom could help us end its terrible rampage before everything that every single one of us holds near and dear to our hearts is trampled like dirt!!!

There was a bit of an awkward silence afterwards, only being broken by the Guard's response.

Termite Guard:...With what boats?

Elizant stepped forward and cleared her throat.

Elizant: We need to speak with your monarchs: your kingdom is known for being very technologically advanced-

Wasp King: Certainly more than hers is.

Elizant:...And we hoped to form an alliance with Queen Layra and King Hector, in order to combine our forces with their weaponry and drive off the Deadlander Omega.

The Termites groaned and muttered amongst themselves, clearly concerned about the proposition.

Termite Guard: Under most circumstances, there'd be no way in Hell our King would want anything to do with you...

The Guard looked upward at one of the many holes that were quite literally punched into the top of their kingdom's protective dome.

Termite Guard:...This ain't most circumstances, though.

The Guard sighed and shook his head before ordering his cohorts to start doing damage control. Afterwards he motioned to both Elizant and the Wasp King as well as their subjects.

Termite Guard: C'mon. Palace is this way.

Both Monarchs present nodded their heads and proceeded to follow the termite, their soldiers right behind. Kina put her kunai back where they were and giggled.

Kina: And that Wasp guy thought we had to fight!

Maki glared at his sister before rolling his eyes, choosing to say nothing. Meanwhile Team Snakemouth leaned over to each other and whispered as they walked.

Vi: I'm with the Termite, what the fuck was that? The Omega broke in and left like it was nothing.

Kabbu: Vi, watch your language, and...I'm afraid I have no clue. Perhaps it got bored?

Leif: Can't be, it was too sudden.

Vi: I dunno, I'm pretty quick to drop things when I'm bored.

Leif: Yeah, but you're a Bee and not...that. What we're wondering about are the Wasps: did you see how they got when we knocked their King over?

Vi: Yeah, what was that? Sympathy headaches?

Kabbu: The Wasp King was very quick to put his crown back on as well...

Vi: That's 'cuz he looks dumb without it.

Vi and Kabbu shared a quiet laugh. However, Leif was too busy thinking to laugh along. Whilst his teammates tried lightening the mood with one another, Leif's mind was focused on the meaning of what just occurred...

Back at The Hive, General "Fuff" Ultimax was sitting by the Plaza's honey fountain and trying in vain to catch his breath. Despite how much he would have liked to pretend otherwise, the Hornet was scared out of his mind, and was barely able to keep his breath anything short of a hyperventilation. After a while he stuck his hand in the fountain and was about to bring some of its sweet, healing honey into his mouth when Vilma caught sight of him.

Ultimax: Errrr...can...can I have some?

Vilma:...Yes.

Ultimax: Thank you...

Vilma nodded and went "Mhm" as Ultimax stuffed his hand into his mouth, trying to drown his terror in sweets. He nearly choked when Dr. H.B. popped up next to him and whistled for his attention.

H.B.: Helloooo, Fuff! How're ya doin'?

Ultimax: GODS, WOMAN, GIVE ME SOME SPACE!!!

H.B.: Fair enough.

The Bee took a couple steps back and let Ultimax breath some more. Afterwards she cleared her throat and asked again.

H.B.: So, how are you doing?

Ultimax:...What do you think?

H.B.: Eeeh, I'd be pretty bummed if I had something as cool as a "tank" get destroyed.

Ultimax: Yeah, I bet you would!

H.B.: Speaking of which, how easy would you say its internals are to work with?

Ultimax sat in silence in a moment before tilting his head at her.

Ultimax: Huh?

H.B.: I mean, it doesn't make much difference to me but would you say it's a complicated machine or a simple one orrrr...?

Ultimax: I-I...I don't entirely know how it works, I didn't build it.

H.B.: Meh, that's fine, reverse engineering's my specialty.

Ultimax: Reverse...what???

H.B.: You know how to use it, though, right?

General Ultimax suddenly shot up and stood as proudly as his wobbly legs would allow him.

Ultimax: Of course I do, have you any idea who I am? I'm the finest General in the Wasp Kingdom, not some dope who just stumbled-

H.B. Ah, nice, so you will be useful!

Ultimax's face drooped and he looked to the Doctor confusedly.

Ultimax: Useful?

H.B.: Come with me to my lab, would you?

As the scientist made her way to her laboratory, Ultimax (with a baffled look about him) glanced around before deciding he had no choice but to follow...

Chapter Text

General Ultimax was bewildered by the kinds of things he saw in Dr. H.B.'s lab: tubes filled with chunks of Seedlings and Arrow Worms, machine parts that moved around seemingly on their own, weapons that even his own soldiers would be afraid to use. Ultimax felt uncomfortable just standing in the same room as the doctor, let alone in the room she did her work in, but regardless he decided to walk up to her inquisitively.

General Ultimax: So, err, Dr. Honey Bee, was it?

Dr. H.B.: "H.B." will work just fine, thanks. [Still think that name was Mom's biggest mistake...]

Ultimax: Uh-huh, yes, so Dr. H.B., what exactly are you a doctor of?

H.B.: Ha-ha! Well, Fuff, I'm glad you asked!

Ultimax: M-my na-

H.B.: I am the Bee Kingdom's greatest scientist, working directly with the Queen herself [and thus everything I make is with her express permission, cross my heart, no need to ask her]: I do biology, I dabble in psychology, I like researching magic whenever I can...but my biggest calling in life is robotics!

Ultimax: Robotics?

H.B.: Robotics! The study and development of powerful mechanisms that can move and act remotely, even independently of mere insects like you and [to a lesser extent] me!!!

Ultimax:...Mechanisms like those ones the monster destroyed?

H.B. gave a deep breath and slowly turned her head to Ultimax.

H.B.:Yes. Like those ones.

Ultimax began to shiver as H.B. cleared her throat.

H.B.: But I work tirelessly, in spite of everyone else's "warnings" and requests, to improve my machinery at all times! And that is why I ask...how'd you Wasps make something like a "tank"?

Ultimax: I told you, I don't know how it was made, I just know how to use it.

H.B.: Well damn, Fuff, you know where I can get one of my own?

Ultimax: QUIT CALLING ME FUFF!!!

They both stood there quietly, awkwardly, for a bit.

Ultimax:...I cannot give you a tank of your own...Why do you want it, anyway?

H.B.: To upgrade it, duh! Turn it from a mere Wasp's Weapon to a One Bee Batallion!!!

Ultimax: Wha-in what world do you think I'd allow you to taint one of our illustrious tanks with your witch technology???

H.B.: Alright. You know what you're doing, clearly, so I'll allow you to keep your tank as is and fight off the Deadlander Whatever with it. I've no doubt it'll work wonders, just like last time...by the way, what happened to your tank, again?

Ultimax just clenched his fist and grunted angrily. Between his pride, his fear, and his duty to his King, the Hornet desperately did not want the mad doctor's help...however...

Ultimax grabbed H.B. by her lab coat and lifted her up, not really intending to do much harm but hoping she'd be intimidated.

Ultimax: Damn it, Bee, fine! You can bring your tech to my tank...but I swear, if I dislike anything you try to do...

H.B, smiled, not scared at all by the General, and got herself out of his hold before she started gathering her tools into a large box.

H.B.: I knew you'd come around, they always do. Now, you'll be my muscle and my compass: you can hold my toolbox and lead me to the nearest Wasp Tank.

Ultimax: You want me to carry your tools? The hell are you going to do, then?

H.B.: Uh, refit your ride, c'mon. Now help me gather my things...

At that point H.B. ran off to collect anything and everything she'd need for the coming construction. Meanwhile Ultimax grumbled as he again saw little choice but to follow her...

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Meanwhile, in Queen Bianca's Throne Room, the Bee Queen was sitting on her floor next to the Caterpillar left in her care, Yin. Bianca rubbed Yin's back and patted her head as the little larva tried chewing on one of the flowers that decorated the room. Meanwhile, Queen Vanessa II was sitting on the throne at the end of said room, sulking and looking to the ground, whispering to herself.

Queen Vanessa II: [Trapped on a throne...I cannot think of a more humiliating thing to happen, and yet still I'm even more shameful...]

The Wasp Queen looked to the Soldiers that once followed her, standing by the Throne Room's doors whilst Bee Guards glared at them. Keeping their own Mother away whilst keeping the Bees away from their Mother.

Vanessa:[...All the suffering caused by my incompetence...My weakness...if I hadn't let Hoaxe take control, maybe we-]

Queen Bianca: Vanessa, did you say something?

Vanessa jolted when she heard the Bee Queen's voice, and looked to her and Yin with a worried expression. Both Bugs looked back with worry of their own, but Vanessa forced herself to turn away as she answered.

Vanessa:...I am merely talking to myself. You need not worry.

Wasp Soldier: Be quiet in there!

Vanessa hung her head low once more, while Bianca glared at the Soldier to make him look away. Once he did with a fearful gulp, she turned back to her fellow Queen and started whispering as well.

Bianca: [I am so sorry, Vanessa...]

Vanessa: [Why? You did nothing...]

Bianca: [And that's the problem, isn't it? I had no clue your land had been taken over by such a cruel Bug as that "Wasp King". If I had, perhaps my Kingdom could have done something to help.]

Vanessa: [Please, at the end of the day I was too weak to prevent Hoaxe from usurping the throne. The only one at fault is me.]

Bianca: [Hoaxe?]

Vanessa: [That's the true name of the "Wasp King". My people found him one day, crawling in near-lifeless from the Deadlands, and we took him in...if I had known what he'd do to us all I would have never allowed him to come, I...I...

Vanessa sighed.

Vanessa: [I can't lie...I pitied him. Maybe that's why he was able to do what he did.]

Bianca: [Being kind is not a weakness, Vanessa.]

Vanessa: [I know that, Bianca. That's why I wanted to change my Kingdom's ways: for ages we had been known as aggressive and territorial, but I wished to bring us to a more peaceful future...and look at the situation we're in now.]

Bianca: [For the situation we are in now, our biggest threat is that...what was it? Deadlander?]

Vanessa: [Yes. The Deadlander Omega, it-]

Bianca: [Surely you cannot be blamed for its arrival.]

Vanessa: [But I'm not sure what can be. I had heard that the Mother Crystal protected us all from monsters like it.]

Bianca: [What is the Mother Crystal?]

Vanessa: [I am not certain, but supposedly it resides in the Forsaken Lands, and emitted a sort of energy that kept away outside threats...is it weakening? Is that why that monster's arrived now?]

Bianca: [Whatever the case, if you and I cannot stop it, then the best we can do is hope. And look at what you've done already! You pointed Elizant and her Explorers to the Termite Kingdom, and if they can be convinced to help we may stand a fighting chance!]

Vanessa: [But if Hoaxe is with them...]

Vanessa quietly groaned to herself, and began hitting her own head in frustration.

Vanessa: [Who am I fooling, Hoaxe was right! I would never be strong enough, mentally or otherwise, to do anything about this!]

Bianca: [Vanessa, calm yourself! You cannot keep worrying about past mistakes, you just-]

Bianca tried to put her hand on Vanessa's shoulder but the Wasp Queen grunted and jolted away in pain, getting her to back off. Bianca took a look at the part she had touched and noticed that it was darker than the rest of Vanessa's carapace.

Bianca: [...Vanessa...is that a burn mark?]

Vanessa looked away again, choosing not to answer.

Bianca: [Vanessa, what happened?]

Vanessa: [Hoaxe has burned me in the past, as a way of rubbing his theft of my Kingdom in my face...]

Bianca shook her head and sighed, saddened by what had happened: after the kind of stress she had already witnessed from Elizant, to see something even worse from another Monarch...

Bianca: [...If we are able deal with the monster, Vanessa...I fully intend to help you.]

Vanessa: [How?]

Bianca: [Any way I can! All our kingdoms would be happier if we worked in unity, and if I can help you like Elizant has helped me and I her...oh?]

Bianca was surprised by Yin attempting to crawl up her leg. With a soft laugh she lifted the Caterpillar up and brought her between herself and Vanessa.

Bianca: Oh, Yin, I am so sorry-I forgot you, darling! Can you ever forgive me?

As the Bee Queen rubbed Yin's back some more, the Caterpillar noticed the scar on the Wasp Queen and tilted her head.

Yin: Muh?

Vanessa looked to where Yin's gaze was pointed and turned away once more.

Vanessa: [She sees my scar...]

Bianca frowned, again saddened by Vanessa's troubles, before Yin started wiggling in her arms.

Bianca: Oh? Yin, what seems to be the matter?

Yin: Muh! Muh!

Bianca was hardly able to keep a hold on Yin as the little Caterpillar tried to squirm closer and closer to Vanessa. Eventually, she got close enough to Vanessa that she was nearly touching the Wasp Queen's scar. At that point, what appeared to be magic started coming from Yin's nubby little limbs, and Vanessa was surprised to notice herself feeling significantly better.

Vanessa: [What was that? I...I feel...it hurts less?]

Wasp Soldier: I said SHUT IT!

Both Queens were too stunned to pay much attention to the Soldier, instead looking at each other and Yin.

Bianca: [Yin, did you heal Vanessa? At least a little?]

Yin: Muh...

Bianca laughed again as her face beamed, and she put Yin down before petting her and looking back to Vanessa.

Bianca: Do you see, Vanessa? We merely need to work together! Even the littlest of Bugs can do great things! Why, I had heard that one of my daughters became the first Bee Explorer, can you believe it? My entire hive was so wrong, all she needed was a good team and enough support!

Vanessa didn't respond, but she didn't look nearly as upset as she did earlier. Bianca surprised Vanessa by grabbing her hands excitedly, bringing the Wasp Queen face-to-face with her.

Bianca: That was my mistake! I was so worried about potential dangers that I failed to support my own child! But I will do better! And I will start by supporting you!!!

Vanessa: [B-Bianca, calm down...even if what you're saying is true, what can we even do?]

Bianca: Whatever it is, we can succeed as long as our hearts are together! What we need most is unity!

Yin starting jumping (or as close to jumping as she could get) excitedly.

Yin: Muh! Muh!

Wasp Soldier: Will you lot be quiet already!?

Vanessa was deep in thought then, considering everything that had happened and everything she and Bianca had said.

Vanessa: [Unity...unity...ah! The doctor's creations! They did more damage to the Deadlander than anything else I had seen yet! If we can combine some of that machinery with General Fuff's tank, perhaps we can make a weapon that will actually put a dent in the monster!]

Bianca: [And if Elizant succeeds in getting the Termites' help, perhaps we have will two weapons that can take it on!]

Vanessa: [Exactly!!!]

Both Queens were laughing together now, Vanessa feeling more optimistic than she had in ages, though the Soldiers guarding the Throne Room were starting to lose their patience.

Wasp Soldier: I'm warning you two!

With that, Bianca nodded to Vanessa confidently before picking Yin up and carrying her over to the Soldiers.

Bianca: Please forgive the noise, we're just hysterical!

Wasp Soldier: Ugh, why is that?

Bianca: It's Yin! We fear she may be sick!

Yin: Muh?

Wasp Soldier:...Looks fine to me.

Bianca: Please, you need to allow me to see Dr. H.B.! She will know what to do!

Wasp Soldier: Are you kidding? Even if I trusted that crazy crone, why would-

Bianca: This Larva is very special...she could be of great use to the Wasp Kingdom.

Vanessa: Indeed. A Caterpillar like Yin comes only once in a lifetime. Surely the great Wasp King would rather a tool as useful as her not fall ill.

Yin: Muh???

The Wasp Soldier groaned again before shaking his head and letting Bianca out.

Wasp Soldier:...Last I saw, the doctor was headed to...I think it was her lab?

Bianca: Oh, thank you so much!

Vanessa: The Wasp Kingdom will prosper thanks to you!

Wasp Soldier: You shut your trap and stay right there!

Vanessa: Mhm...

Vanessa started giggling to herself when the Soldier turned away, meanwhile Bianca apologized and comforted Yin all the way to H.B.'s laboratory.

In the lab, Dr. H.B. had finally finished dumping all of her tools into a large metal box, one that even the mighty General Ultimax was almost struggling to hold at that point.

H.B.: Ahhh, that's everything! Y'know, you're much stronger than my assistant is! Crow's clearly gotta work out more...

Ultimax: You have an assistant?! Why didn't you have them carry your crap for you!?!?

H.B.: Uhh, I just said why, sheesh. Besides, she evacuated to the Golden Settlement with most of the other Bees. If you ask me, they're missing out hard. Now c'mon, let's-

Before H.B. could head out she was met with her Queen, Bianca, running in with a Caterpillar in her arms, looking very overly worried about something.

Bianca: Doctor! Doctor! I need your assistance!

H.B.: BIANCA! I, uhh, wasn't doing anything you wouldn't like, certainly not conspiring to-

Bianca: Shhh!

H.B. tilted her head in confusion before Bianca leaned down to whisper to her.

Bianca: [H.B., under most circumstances I would at best reluctantly approve of you building advanced, dangerous weaponry, but right now I need you to make something incredibly powerful, enough to potentially stop the Deadlander Omega.]

H.B.:...What?

Bianca: [Fuff, was it? How close is your tank to here?]

Ultimax: [My-ugh...it's about halfway between here and the gate to the Far Grasslands.]

Bianca: [That's not very far at all! I need you to help Dr. H.B. so that she can-]

H.B.: [Upgrade it with my state-of-the-art tech?]

Bianca: [Precisely!]

Yin: [Muh!]

H.B.: [Fufufufu, read ya like a book, B...Well, since you're asking so nicely I suppose we can do that.]

Ultimax: [I-it'll be risky, though!]

Bianca: [It will be, and that's why under no other circumstances would I want to ask for something like it. However, to fight off the Deadlander we will need all the help we can get.]

Ultimax: [B-b-but...What if the other Wasps question us?]

Bianca: [You are their superior, correct? Surely if you say it's something you need to do they'll listen. Besides, the Wasp King wants this monster stopped too, correct? This plan may just make him happy as well.~]

Yin, still in Bianca's arms, nodded and gave a cheery "Muh." With no other excuses to use, Ultimax sighed and nodded as well.

Fuff: [...Aye-aye, your highness.]

Bianca: [Excellent! I wish you both the very best of luck, and I pray for your safety.]

H.B.: [Ha, quit flatterin' me, Bianca! Now get a move on, we have things to do.]

Bianca nodded with a smile more typical of her before heading back to her Throne Room with Yin. Once she was out of earshot, H.B. laughed and pat Ultimax hard on the back.

H.B.: Woo-hoo, just our luck! That makes things way easier, haha!

Ultimax:...Weren't we going to do all that stuff she asked anyway?

H.B.: Yeah, but now I know she won't nag me about it! Now let's get going, Fuff, we've got a job to do judgement-free!

Fuff just stood and glared at Dr. H.B. silently for a second before shaking his head and sighing, giving up as he headed out of the Bee's lab with said Bee following behind excitedly...

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As Elizant, the Wasp King, and their respective soldiers made their way through the Termite Kingdom, they occasionally looked around to see the damage caused by the Deadlander's arrival: entire buildings reduced to rubble, streets flooded and machinery waterlogged, Termites all over being scared or injured or hysterical. Elizant gave off a quiet but guilty sigh as she looked around, thinking on how she would have reacted if something like that had happened to her own kingdom. She looked to the Wasp King and noticed his reaction was far different: while she felt guilt and pity for the people in the Termite Dome, he saw their struggles and moved on. He had one goal in mind and only wished to achieve it...

When everyone made it to the Termite Palace, they noticed that the carpet was soaking wet: the flooding even reached as far as the royalty. What's more, everyone could see the Termite King pacing around his throne, muttering to himself in a frustrated panic, as both his wife and one of her Caretakers tried to calm him down.

Termite Caretaker: Please, King Hector, calm yourself! You and Queen Layra are safe and that is all that matters...

King Hector IV: Oh, don't give me that! It was shaking like a damn earthquake out there and the entire Palace was nearly filled to the brim with water!

Queen Layra II: Hector, honey, there wasn't that much...that said this is absolutely a terrible situation. (To the Caretaker) Can we get an update from the soldiers? Are our subjects safe?

Termite Caretaker: I will go check right now, your majesty, and-eep!

When the Caretaker turned around she was surprised to see a Guard already behind her, and she was utterly shocked to see all the Bugs he had brought with him.

Caretaker: Who...who are-

Hector: YOU!!!

In a fit of blind fury, King Hector ran all the way up to Queen Elizant until he was looking upwards at her (and everyone else there but Vi). He growled angrily and poked Elizant in the chest, but she chose to remain still.

Hector: Of all Bugs, of all times, I did not want to see YOU RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

With a infuriated cry Hector started beating his fists onto Elizant, though she took it like she would take a Seedling's attack (actually, she felt a Seedling would hurt a little more).

Elizant:...Hector, I know I have wronged you but-

King Hector IV: THAT IS KING HECTOR THE FOURTH TO YOU!!!

Elizant:...Yes, I know that...you must listen, we-

Hector: Why should I listen to you, huh?!

Elizant: Please, it is-

Hector: You miserable cretin, you think I give a Plumpling's posterior what you think!?!?

Elizant: We need to-

Hector: I'm not finished yet!!!!!

Wasp King: Shut your pitiful trap, you puny ignoramus!!!

Everyone else in the room stopped to stare at the Wasp King then, all with varying degrees of shock, offense, and/or pride.

Layra:...Who do you think you are to talk to my husband that way???

Wasp King: I am the Wasp King, and I demand that we use your finest weaponry, otherwise we will all perish under the Deadlander Omega!

Hector:...Deadlander Omega?

Layra: Oh, that...that actually exists?

Kabbu: Yes, Your Highness, it does, and it's been causing mass destruction all over Bugaria!

Hector: Even you aren't feeding me lies, my kingdom is not part of Bugaria: why should I care?

Kina: What do you think flooded your palace, you dope?!

All over the Throne Room there was tension, but before any further arguing could occur Elizant raised her arms and called out.

Elizant: PLEASE!!!

At once everything was silent, allowing Elizant to step away from Hector for a moment and remove her mask, showing the truth in her face.

Elizant:...King Hector, I have made many mistakes as a ruler, and I apologize for what I have done to you and yours specifically. However, now is a time in which we must join forces...

Hector said nothing, but he continued to glare up at Elizant.

Elizant:...My weapons are no match for the monster, I will not pretend otherwise. The Wasp and Bee Kingdoms were also unable to fight it off.

Wasp King: Though, frankly, I felt my forces did more damage than anything else

Vi: Are you kidding?! Dr. H.B.'s mechs blew up one of its hands!!!

Queen Elizant stomped her foot, getting both Vi and even the Wasp King to back off.

Elizant: At any rate, our only remaining option is your kingdom. Yours is the most technologically advanced land I have yet come across, King Hector, and the possibility that you may have something to fight the Deadlander with is the only chance we have left of saving our home...

Hector looked away, his glare softening.

Elizant: Our home and yours. The Deadlander Omega is large enough that it displaced water from Metal Lake into your Kingdom's dome, and it broke through the dome itself to cause damage all over.

Layra: I-Is that what the water and shaking came from???

Termite Guard: It was, I saw it firsthand!

Hector: Talk is cheap, soldier!

Vi: Are you serious, why are-

Elizant: Vi!

Vi crossed her arms and quieted down whilst King Hector shook his head angrily.

Hector: If what you're saying is true then let me take a look...

Hector walked over to his throne and pressed a hidden button on it. Immediately afterwards, a periscope-like object came down between him and Layra. He looked into the device and pressed another button that shined a powerful beam of light in the direction of the upper lens, allowing him to look through the fog of the Forsaken Lands.

Layra: We don't like using lights like that often because we don't want to disturb the Forsaken Lands' wildlife too much.

Hector: And because we Termites prefer our privacy.

Hector looked around Bugaria for barely a minute before he saw something that made him go pale: he stumbled backwards and fell against Layra, who gasped when she saw the state her husband was in.

Layra: Hector! What's wrong!?

Hector tried responded, but all he could make were terrified wheezes, gasps, and stammering noises. Reluctantly, Elizant walked up to the device to look for herself, and she gasped in horror: the Deadlander Omega was now in the Ant Kingdom, towering over every building...even the Anthill Palace itself. The creature effortlessly tore off and lifted up the very tip of the palace and took a look inside. It only looked for a few moments before throwing the roof to the side and moving elsewhere. Small tears started to come from Elizant's eyes as she whispered to herself.

Elizant:[...Mother...your palace...I am so sorry...]

Wasp King: I would presume that you've seen enough evidence, then?

Hector: We...we...we c-c-c-can't let that thing come back here...

Wasp King: Then what do you have to fight it off with?

Layra: We've recently developed a series of super powerful weapons: I like to call them Mega Mortars!

Hector: The actual name is...is...

Hector could barely even speak, he was so filled with fear, so Layra patted his head softly.

Leif: What makes you think they could help?

Layra: They're giant cannons filled with explosives that can be controlled remotely and even have little cameras on them so you can see where they're headed!

Vi: I don't know what any of that means.

Termite Guard: It means we can blast that thing from here, even!

Layra: And they're so powerful they can blow gigantic boulders to smithereens!

Elizant: So that is it, then? We will be taking your weapons and blasting the Deadlander Omega with them whilst remaining in the Forsaken Lands?

Hector: You...*huff*...you are not to touch the...th-the weapons...we'll sending our Soldiers out with them...

Elizant: Even still, King Hector, I cannot thank you enough for what you and Queen Layra are doing. We may now have a chance against the monster.

Hector: I...I still don't forgive you...

Elizant: You will never need to forgive me, Your Highness, but just know that your decision may help save all of our Kingdoms.

Wasp King: Yes, Hector, perhaps you aren't as blithering an idiot as I thought.

Hector growled and glared at the Wasp King but Layra calmed him down with some more physical affection.

Hector:...Guards! Gather the most elite amongst you and get the...the, uhh...

Layra: The Mega Mortars?

Hector:...Alright, we'll call them that for now...Take them as far from here as you can and ready them to fire upon the Deadlander.

Termite Guard: Right!

The Termite Soldiers instantly start to mobilize, leaving Elizant and her party to stay with the Royalty.

Elizant: We shall go as well, King Hector, to deliver any and all assistance we possibly can.

Hector: Very well, Elizant. Just make sure you and the Wasp there don't get in my troops' way.

Elizant: Understood...Explorers! We will follow the Termites! Be prepared for anything...

After a collective agreement from the Explorers, the Wasp King groaned and started heading out with his own troops.

Wasp King: Wasps...we shall wait outside of the dome for the others. You are to give your lives for this upcoming battle, am I understood?

Wasp Soldiers: Yes, Your Highness!!!

The Wasp King nodded and left the Palace, meanwhile Elizant put her mask back on and waited for the Termites to finish preparing. Again Leif leaned down to Vi and Kabbu, though with a more positive look about him.

Leif: [Well, would you look at that. Seems the Ant Queen's changing.]

Vi: [Yeah, and you thought she was so bad!]

Leif: [She was, but...she seems to have better intentions than we first realized.]

Kabbu: [Mayhaps she was always her trying best, and merely struggled under the weight of queenship?]

Vi: [Maybe all the stuff going on scared her straight?]

Leif: [Whatever it is...we trust her now more than ever.]

Vi: [Yeah...guys?]

Kabbu and Leif looked to Vi, but she looked away and sighed quietly.

Vi: [If we don't get outta this...I wanna thank you both. You did a lot for me. You barely even know me and yet you saved me from drowning and helped me fight a bunch of bad guys and...thanks.]

Kabbu: [But of course, Vi! We are teammates, allies! We must do whatever do we can to protect one another, no matter what!]

Leif nodded and patted both of his teammates on the back.

Leif: [One last time guys: we live together or we die together.]

Vi: [And you know what? We're not gonna die!]

Kabbu and Vi laughed confidently as Leif joined along, though as usual he was much quieter. The Moth was still deep in thought, considering all sorts of things that had been happening. He was still worried, admittedly, but he knew he had to try. He trusted that Elizant, the Elizant with them now, would try. He trusted that his teammates would try. And with that trust, Leif was willing to stand against anything...

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In the Lost Sands, Dr. H.B. and General Ultimax were quick but methodical about making their way towards the fallen Ultimax Tank: they made sure to keep an eye on the Deadlander's whereabouts at any given moment, and were constantly hiding behind rocks and other objects in order to avoid its line of sight.

Ultimax: A-are you sure we can do this?

H.B.: How many times are you gonna ask that, Fuff? Listen, we'll be good! See, the thing's back at Metal Lake, we've got nothing to worry about!

Ultimax: For now...how long do you think this'll take?

H.B.: Souping up your tank? I dunno, depends on what state its in, probably. Plus we gotta find it first and-

Ultimax: There it is!

Ultimax nearly dropped the toolbox when he saw it: his titular tank, upside down with smoke coming out of it. It was technically still in one piece but he had no hopes of operating it as it was.

Ultimax: Ohhh, my poor Ultimax Tank! I can't bear to look at it!

H.B.: I can, good gods! Is that what you Wasps work with? Can't believe we didn't think of anything like that ourselves!

H.B. quickly grabbed her toolbox from Ultimax (leaving him to weep and salute over his broken war machine) and began rummaging through it. Once she had what she needed to start she immediately crawled into the tank's cockpit and got to work.

Ultimax: What the-what are you doing?

H.B.: Working, Wasp! Now gimme whatever it is I ask for from my toolbox, okay?

Ultimax: I-ugh!...

Ultimax stood and crossed his arms as the doctor quickly got to work, tinkering around inside of his beloved vehicle.

Ultimax: Y'know, if this were any other time, I'd knock you out for daring to touch my Ultimax Tank.

H.B.: You bet on that?

Ultimax: Yeah, I do!

H.B.: Aaalright, then!

H.B. crawled back out of the tank and put her fists up, smirking confidently.

H.B.: I needed something from the ol' toolbox anyway: I can just get it myself while I'm out here beatin' your butt.

Ultimax: Alright, Bee, if you think you're so hot then-OOF!

With no warning, H.B. decked Ultimax in the gut almost as hard as one of his Drillers would. While the Hornet was doubled over, H.B. delivered an uppercut that knocked him flat on his back.

H.B.: Hahaaaa! I think you underestimated how strong the Bees of my hive are! [Now quiet down or the monster'll hear us!]

H.B. grabbed what she needed from the toolbox before crawling back into the cockpit and going back to work. Ultimax sighed once more before crawling over to the cockpit to whisper.

Ultimax: [Doctor...what if none of this works?]

H.B.: [Think of it this way, Fuff: if it does work, then hooray, Bugaria's saved! If it doesn't, we can at least say we didn't sit on our asses and let things go to shit.]

Ultimax: [That's just it, huh? It's a terrifying monster but...what's crying about it gonna do?]

H.B.: [Exactly, so don't cry! Make yourself useful, like by handing me the screwdriver!]

Ultimax nodded and took the screwdriver from the Bee's toolbox before giving it to her, then he sighed and looked off into the distance. The Deadlander Omega was still by the Metal Lake, lifting up some of the smaller islands resting in it. Either ignorant or uncaring of both the damage it had been causing and the fight against it that was to come...

Chapter Text

Out in the Forsaken Lands, many Bugs were gathered around in the fog, either standing ready or setting up large weapons for their attack: the strongest Soldiers that the Termite Kingdom could supply were all standing by or around the "Mega Mortars", loading them with explosives, pointing them to the North, overall preparing them for the battle ahead. Meanwhile, The Wasp Soldiers were all perfectly still, silent and unmoving, though their "King" was visibly annoyed and tired of waiting. Queen Elizant II, on the other hand, kept her hands at her waist, standing firm and and intent to pull out her blades when needed, whilst her Explorers were mostly conversing with one another.

Vi: [Ugh...Look at those Wasp guys: why are they all standing like that?]

Kabbu: [Vi, can you please???]

Vi: [But look at them! They look like Leif froze them but he didn't!]

Leif: [We have to wonder just what's going through their heads...]

Leif wasn't able to wonder long, as he and everyone else was called to attention by the Termites. The Captain appointed to the mission stepped forward and placed a hand on a large cannon that was set up next to him. It and the other cannons nearby were big enough that three Termites were needed to operate them: one to rotate it, one to set the aim, and one to load the bomb (each of which was about as big as Vi).

Termite Captain: Ladies! Gentlemen! This...is a Mega Mortar.

Vi: Woooaaaahh, and I thought H.B. made some nutty weapons!

Termite Captain: Nutty? This is high-tech stuff, kid! We can fire explosives and control them remotely, leading them all-

Kina: We already heard what it does, guy, just use it.

The Captain growled in annoyance, prompting a terrifying glare from Kina. The Captain's resulting fear was quickly interrupted by the Wasp King coming up to ask a question.

The Wasp King: What, pray tell, do you think will happen if these mortars cannot destroy the Deadlander?

Termite Soldier: Hahahahah, what're you talking about?! I-i-it's totally gonna work, no reason for us to fear for our lives or the fate of any investments or-

The Termite Captain smacked the Soldier, shutting him up.

Termite Captain: Get a hold of yourself, man! These babies are Termite-made! High-quality crafts! If they can't kill that thing, nothing will!

Kina: [Considering how nothing has killed it...]

Termite Captain: ALL NON-TERMITES STEP BACK!!!

Quickly, Elizant and the Wasp King's groups obeyed and stepped away from the Mega Mortars. As the Termites took the huge weapons and aimed them North, the Captain held his arm back before pointing forward with a battle cry.

Termite Captain: FIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!!!!!!!

Right after, all Mega Mortars launched massive, mechanical bombs into the air. After hanging for a little the bombs revealed rocket-powered thrusters and a single eye. Meanwhile, on the ground, all Termite Soldiers held a remote control in their hands and wore what looked like goggles on their heads.

Termite Captain: The goggle-type devices my troops are wearing allow them to see wherever the bombs' optic sensors point, while the controllers let us...er, control 'em. Now, we merely need to direct these explosives towards the Deadlander, and once they reach it...KABOOM!

As the Captain gave a hearty laugh with his hands in his hips, The Wasp King groaned and shook his head before whispering to others.

Wasp King: [You lot had better be prepared. I don't think these Bugs have the sense to actually utilize their own weaponry.]

Termite Captain: What'd you say?!

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At the Golden Settlement, Bugs from both the Ant and Bee Kingdoms were all gathered together in large crowds. By some miracle, the Settlement remained one of the few areas not to have been reached by the Deadlander, but that didn't help calm any of the Bugs there: Bees held their sisters and tried to speak encouraging words, Ants desperately tried to remain strong and confident, and in general an air of dread hung over everyone.

In the middle of this dread, Mothiva sat cross-legged on a stump and huffed, only changing her annoyed expression when she took a sip from the Berry Juice Zasp held for her.

Mothiva: What a load of shit. I was supposed to make a big comeback, really show those Bees why I'm the best, and that moronic Ant Queen assigns me to come back to this dumb little village with the common folk, doing nothing.

Zasp: I mean, we're kinda supposed to keep them calm and-

Mothiva: Doing. Nothing.

Mothiva slapped on a forced smile when Gen and Eri walked up to her.

Gen: U-u-um, Mothiva?

Mothiva: Yeeeeeeees?

Gen: I just...just wanted to say that...just in case things go bad...Eri asked if you can give her your autograph?

Eri: What?! You wanted her autograph, I don't care!

Mothiva's eye twitched as the twin Ants argued with each other, but before she snapped she heard her partner gasp.

Zasp:...Oh gods...

Mothiva, Gen and Eri looked in the same direction Zasp was, and they joined the rest of the Golden Settlement in staring as they saw it: the Deadlander Omega had arrived, its eyes shooting bright, piercing gazes down onto them all. As Bugs all over scrambled, Zasp stood at ready in front of a shocked Mothiva, meanwhile Gen and Eri hugged each other and screamed.

Gen: IT'S GONNA CRUSH US!!!

ERI: IT'S GONNA EAT US!!!

The Deadlander took a few steps into the Settlement, stepping on and over houses and windmills, releasing a low bellow as it did. Bugs ran and screamed and hid and ducked. Some prayed, joining Acolyte Aria in a frightened, quiet plea to Venus.

Acolyte Aria: [Please, dear Venus, oh most gracious of goddesses, protect us....Save our friends and family from the threats that assault us...Defend our loves and livelihoods from the most vile of forces...]

Nearby, a Bud of Venus sighed and and whispered to itself in defeat.

Venus: [I'm so sorry, Aria...but I'm weakened. I won't be able to help...]

The Deadlander's limbs were mere inches away from Zasp...when one of the Mega Mortar's bombs exploded against its spine. The monster cried out, less in pain and more in surprise, and its gazes were turned towards the bombs raining down towards it. Even Venus stared mouth agape as the Deadlander started rushing away from the Golden Settlement, sending many faster, weaker quakes through the earth as it rushed to the origin of the attack. The Deadlander was continuously pelted by explosives from the Mega Mortars as it ran, yet when it found out the bombs were flying out of the Forsaken Land's fog it just stopped. Even as it was being attacked, the monster was reluctant to enter the shrouded wastelands, and chose instead to start running back North, towards the Lost Sands.

Termite Soldier: Captain, our bombs are only doing so much damage! And the monster...seems to be retreating?

Kina: So, that's a win, right?

Wasp King: No...if that creature is still moving it could still pose a threat. We've no way to keep ourselves safe but to end its miserable life!

Queen Elizant II: Wasp King-

Wasp King: What do you intend to say, hm? Do you object to my plan? Do you intend to talk with the monster? Become its friend? Are you a child?

Clearly the Wasp King was getting on everyone's nerves once more, and Kina was held back from assaulting him solely by her brother.

Termite Soldier: Captain, we need to start reloading!

Termite Captain: Then do it, morons, before the thing gets away!

Termite Soldier 2: Wait, Captain, my bomb's still flying! And it sees a...foreign object? Approaching the Deadlander!

Termite Captain: What in the...?

Way back in the Lost Sands, the Deadlander Omega halted as it was circled around by an object moving fast enough to make some of its eyes dizzy. The object eventually stopped, revealing itself to be the upgraded Ultimax Tank: it had glowing, blue spikes all over, an additional six cannons, powerful rockets on the sides, and a drill on the very top. Inside the tank were two Bugs: Dr. H.B. manned the weaponry of the tank whilst General Ultimax steered its movement.

Dr. H.B.: Fufufufufu! Hot damn, Fuff, see what I mean when I told you those thrusters would "rock", as the kids say?

General Ultimax: [What shenanigans, can't believe I don't get to control the guns on my own tank...]

H.B.: What was that, Fuff?

Ultimax: Don't call me-

H.B.: Oop, gotta get movin', Fuff! Hand incomin'!

Ultimax: WHAT?!

As H.B. said, one of the Omega's hands loomed towards the new-and-improved Ultimax Tank, but the General was fast enough to guide the vehicle away. As he continued driving circles around the behemoth, the cannons of the tank fired rapidly one after another, assaulting the Deadlander with explosives shells all over. The creature tried to duck and weave in spite of its size, but the tank simply moved too fast and managed to land nearly every shot.

H.B.: Haha, look at this high-octane action! I gotta make solo battle mechs more often!

Ultimax: Solo!?

H.B.: Oh, Fuff, I forgot you were there.

Ultimax:...

As the tank fired relentlessly onto the dazed Deadlander, the Termite watching with his bomb-mounted camera struggled to explain what he was seeing to the others.

Termite Soldier 2: Th-th-th-the tank's zipping left and right, runnin' circles around the Deadlander Omega! It's firing bombs at it like fireworks!

Vi: Aw man, I bet it'd be so cool to watch!

Termite Captain: Damn it, soldier, don't just stare at the monster! And you all, don't just stare at him! GET TO RELOADING!!!

Termite Soldier: Wait, is the-THE DEADLANDER'S GETTING BIGGER! IT'S-oh wait, my bomb's just getting closer to it.

Eventually the bomb reached the Deadlander Omega, and its explosion managed to knock the creature back enough, surprising and nearly hitting H.B. and Ultimax.

H.B.: Gah! Fuff, be careful!

Ultimax: Leave me alone, you insane Bee Bint!!!!!!!

H.B.:...Bint?

Ultimax: I don't know, I-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

The Deadlander got scarily close, it shadow eclipsing the tank and the gaze of all its eyes piercing through towards the Bee and Hornet within. The monster growled and reached towards them, but H.B. laughed confidently

H.B.: Activating Giganto Missile!!!

With that, H.B. slammed her fist onto a button that caused a missile larger than Ultimax to launch into the air out of the tank's biggest cannon...this missile was then snatched out of the air by the Deadlander, which took a moment to observe it.

Ultimax: (Whimpering)

H.B.:[C'mon, just hold it a little bit tighter, just a smidgen...]

Eventually the Deadlander threw the Giganto Missile like it was trash, sending it straight towards the Forsaken Lands. It was just barely noticed by the Termite Captain through the fog, and he was quick to dive to the ground whilst yelling his head off.

Termite Captain: HIT THE DECK!!!

Everyone there immediately followed suit, getting down as low as possible so that the missile may zoom over them harmlessly. It managed to miss all the Bugs there, as well as the mortars, and instead crashed into the ground nearby, leaving a wide, deep crater. Even this caused a danger, as stones scattered from the blast and forced some Bugs to have to roll out of the way.

Kina: What the shit!?!?

Vi: Holy crap, that looked like something H.B. would make!

Wasp King: Damn it all, is that maniac trying to kill us?!

Before he could be answered, the Wasp King was knocked unconscious by a particularly large stone, his crown clattering onto the floor.

Elizant: No!

The Ant Queen went to pick The Wasp King up and tried to ensure he was still alive. Meanwhile, as she checked his condition, Leif looked over to his troops and noticed again how they held their heads in pain...

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Back at The Hive, Bianca and Vanessa were sitting together with Yin in-between them. Both Queens had mixed looks on their faces, concerned yet confident, and tried to keep calm as they stroked the Caterpillar's back. Yin shot up and crawled away, however, when she saw the Wasps guarding the Throne Room drop to their knees.

Yin: Muh?

Queen Bianca: Yin, what's wrong?

When Vanessa noticed, she gasped and ran straight over to the Wasps. Yin grabbed one of the Wasps and started trying to heal him, meanwhile Vanessa kneeled next to the other and and placed an arm on their back.

Queen Vanessa II: Speak to me! A-are you well?

Wasp Guard: Queen...Vanessa?...Agh, gods, where am I?

Vanessa:...What?...

Vanessa then got up and ran out the Throne Room, prompting Bianca to pick Yin up and follow her out.

Bianca: Vanessa! Where are you going???

Wasp Guard: Is that the Bee Queen?...

Vanessa looked throughout The Hive's plaza and noticed Wasps left and right in pain, looking around in confusion. Eventually Vanessa made it to the balcony, where she gasped again at the sight of the Deadlander Omega.

Vanessa: I-it's in the Ant Kingdom now!!!

Bianca came to the Wasp Queen's side, and smiled brightly when she caught a glimpse of H.B. and Fuff's weapon.

Bianca: Is that the tank? Honey Bee did it, she made a weapon to fight the monster with!

Yin: Muh!!!

Vanessa: But can they stop it?...

Back at the Forsaken Lands, the Termite Captain grumbled as he got to his feet and stomped angrily to get his troops to rise as well.

Termite Captain: SOLDIERS! Are the Mega Mortars loaded?!

Termite Soldier: Sir, yes, sir!

Termite Captain:THEN FIRE!!!!!!

Without any hesitation, the Termites set the cannons up and blasted again, shooting several bombs at once in the Deadlander's direction. From afar, Bianca and Vanessa saw around a dozen massive spheres fly out of the Forsaken Lands' fog and start heading towards the colossal beast.

Vanessa: Those must be what the Termites created...

Bianca: Then Elizant was successful too! Haha, I've never been so happy to see so much weaponry!

When the Deadlander Omega saw all the bombs flying towards it, it tried running away again before the Ultimax Tank zipped in front to cut it off.

H.B.: Hey! Where do you think you're going!? You think you can just chuck my one Giganto Missile and get away with it?!?!?!

Fuff: Please stop yelling, it can't hear you...

H.B.: FIRE!!!!!!!

The Deadlander was quickly assault with another barrage of shells from the tank, forcing it backwards. As the bombs from the Mega Mortars starting hitting as well, the creature began to realize just how close to the Forsaken Lands it was. It started to panic, swinging wildly and slamming the ground in a fit. One of these slams knocked away the Ultimax Tank onto its side.

Fuff: AH! I-I-I can't drive it like this.

H.B.: And the thing's just tanking most of my shots, too...damn it, we're running out of options!

Fuff: Isn't there something?!

H.B.:...Fuff! There's a big red button around where you're sitting. Hit that and get outta the tank with me!

Fuff: What?!

H.B.: DO IT!!!

Fearfully, Fuff smacked the button H.B. mentioned and scrambled to get out as fast as he could. While the Deadlander Omega stomped around, trying to get away from both the Forsaken Lands and the bombs coming from it, it failed to notice the Ultimax Tank glowing and shaking violently. H.B. and Fuff had just barely managed to dive out of the tank when it launched itself forwards, crashing into the Deadlander (which just barely managed to catch it with three hands). After some more shaking the tank exploded in a manner even intense than the Giganto Missile did, obliterating multiple hands and even a few eyes of the Deadlander and knocking it all the way into the Forsaken Lands. As H.B. got up and cackled victoriously, Fuff gave a teary, sorrowful salute.

Fuff: *sniff*...Goodbye, Ultimax Tank...

H.B.: Did you see that??? MAN, I love a good self-destruct!

Meanwhile, the Bugs at The Hive watched the events unfold with more concerned reactions. Various Wasps looked on and asked things like "Is it dead now?" and "Holy crap, did you see that explosion?!" Queen Bianca held a hand to her mouth in fear, trying to stay composed despite the thoughts going through her mind.

Bianca: Oh gods...it was pushed into the Forsaken Lands?...Elizant...Vi...

Vanessa: [If the Forsaken Lands are where the Mother Crystal is...could there be a chance?]

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As the Deadlander Omega stumbled backwards, the Termite Soldiers stammered and shouted over each other in disbelief and fear.

Termite Captain: Damn it, troops, what's going on!?

Termite Soldier: S-S-Sir! The D-D-D-D-

Termite Captain: TALK!!!

Termite Soldier: THE DEADLANDER'S COMING THIS WAY!!!!!

Almost right after that was shouted did the Deadlander Omega stumble and stomp towards them all, its expression dazed but its movements shaking the earth all the same. Elizant picked up the Wasp King as she and everyone else desperately tried dodging out of the way. The Wasps were the last to move, still reeling from some sort of pain, but the second they came to they flew upwards and scattered about.

Wasp Soldier: GODS, WHAT THE SHIT IS THAT?!

The Deadlander bellowed and flailed haphazardly as it stomped through, and after nearly stepping on the Termite Captain it tripped and fell one of the Forsaken Land's many massive pits.

Vi:...Ha! HAHAHA! Holy hell, we did it! It fell in a hole, we-GAH!!!

Vi and the others were shook when the ground started quaking again, and she fell over with her mouth agape when the Deadlander's remaining hands started grasping the edges of the hole it fell into. The monster slowly tried pulling itself out, its eyes darting around wildly as it let out panicked roars and screeches.

Termite Soldier: CAPTAIN! IT'S TRYING TO CRAWL OUT!!!

Termite Captain: I CAN SEE THAT, DAMMIT, I CAN SEE THAT!!!!!

The Termites all either scrambled or cowered as the Deadlander slammed its hands everywhere. As the monster struggled to escape the hole, Queen Elizant shook her head and thought to herself with the Wasp King in her arms. She remained deep in thought whilst the roars of the colossal beast send shockwaves through the land and terror through the Bugs within. Eventually she stood up and nodded confidently.

Elizant: We cannot stop now, everyone! This is the closest we have gotten to eliminating the Deadlander Omega, and if it is our only hope then we've no choice but to take advantage!! We must all do everything in our power to stop the menace: its size matters not when the many of us try with all our might!!! The moment of truth is at hand, and so we must fight!!!!

Kina: Way ahead of ya, Queenie!

Kina was quite excited to finally get into some action, so she amazed everyone with her high jumps and powerful kicks off of the Deadlander's hands and eyes. Though the dozen knives she threw at the monsters eyes seemed to do minimal damage, they got its attention away from escaping into trying to attack her. Kina's sheer speed made it impossible for the clambering monster to catch her, so the rest of the Explorers, as well as all Wasps there, joined in on the fight . Team Snakemouth sent barrages of slashes, smacks and frost into the monsters hands, Maki slammed its wrists with his blade, the Wasps showered its eyes with spears, and all managed to get furious-sounding roars out of the trapped creature. All the while the Termites just watched, paralyzed with fear, though they were called to attention once more by Kina.

Kina: Why are you sissies all just standing there?! Force it back in!!!

Confused and concerned, the Termites looked to the Ant Queen, who held a hand to her chest with a calm but confident question of her own.

Elizant: The Mega Mortars still work, do they not?

After a moment the Termite Captain's eyes narrowed and he chuckled.

Termite Captain:...Indeed they do. TROOPS! Deactivate Remote Control Mode on the explosives! We're firing point blank...

Termite Soldiers: Aye-aye, Captain!

With a newfound strength, the Termites readied their weapons once more and fired another barrage of bombs onto the Deadlander. Though it remained hanging on the edge of the hole, the attacks did serve to make it panic further, leading it to grasp and slam even more as it forced the Bugs to back off. Leif fired Icefall after Icefall and was slowly losing his morale when he found how little effect they seemed to have.

Leif: Damn it, the thing's not freezing!

Vi: Keep going, it's gotta work sometime!

Kabbu: There must be another way, isn't there?

Maki was about to answer when he heard a scream. He was terrified to see the Deadlander Omega with Kina trapped in the grasp of one of its hands, her eyes wide with fear as it growled threatening at her. Maki barely damaged the creature when he jumped onto one of its hand and batted at another, but he had distracted it enough to let himself pry the hand that held Kina open. The second its grasp was loosened the Mantis siblings grabbed onto each other and leapt off, tumbling over and narrowly avoiding another, smaller pit. As soon as they stopped rolling Maki got up and carried Kina on his back as the Deadlander tried and barely failed to crush them both. Kina rested her head on her brother's as tears poured out of her eyes.

Kina: Eeeeeeeeeehhh, Makiiiiii, holy craaaaaaaap!!!!!

Maki: Kina, Kina, it's alright...

Termite Soldier: I-I'm not sure it's-

Termite Captain: If bombs don't work more bombs will, just keep going! FIRE!!!

Though the Termites continued blasting the Deadlander, it still slowly crawled out of the pit, only barely fazed by their strongest attacks.

Kabbu: This can't be! I-I-Is there anything we haven't tried yet?!

Leif looked all over in spite of his exhaustion, and an idea came to him when he saw the Wasp King's crown on the floor.

Leif:...We think there's one thing...

Vi: Leif? What are you doing?!

Leif didn't answer Vi's question, only running over to the fallen crown and putting it on his own head.

Kabbu: Th-the crown?

Vi: That's just a hat, you moron, it doesn't even look good on you!

Leif: If we're right about this, then...

Leif pointed one arm forward and started summoning another Icefall. He was surprised, then, when the ice formed faster, larger, and more fiercely then it ever had before. It was strong enough that he struggled to remain standing, let alone steady, so Kabbu and Vi ran up to his back and held onto him.

Vi: Leif, when the hell could you do this?!

Leif: W-we couldn't!

Kabbu: Could this be the crown's doing?...

Elizant: Leif...

Eventually the ice got bigger than Leif could handle, so he fired it off at one of the Deadlander's eyes. It immediately froze completely solid, weighing the monster down and getting it to roar again. Team Snakemouth all stared in awe as the monster started clawing at its own frozen body part, almost forgetting where they were until one of its massive hands reached for them. At that point Leif fired another blast of ice, powerful enough to encase the hand in a powerful ice crystal. While Vi giggled excitedly at the power Leif now possessed, Kabbu ran towards the frozen hand with a battle cry.

Kabbu: Begone, monster! Get away from our home and stop bringing terror to its citizens!!!

When Kabbu crashed into the frozen hand, he knocked into a nearby stone hard enough to chip off a few of the fingers. It was then that Leif got it, and he stood up to shout out the new plan as he readied more powerful ice blasts.

Leif: It'll be more vulnerable when its frozen! Everybody, aim for the hands! We'll freeze them and then you all can shatter them!

Vi: Sick idea, Leif!

Termite Captain: You heard the Moth! Aim for any and all frozen appendages that you see!

As the attacks against the Deadlander grew more fierce its cries and swinging grew wilder and wilder. Vi and the Wasps flew into the air to rain spears and needles onto the monster's eyes, getting it to claw at them furiously. They all dodged out of the way while Kabbu held Leif and allowed him to charge up further attacks. When Leif was ready he shot multiple icy blasts at the Deadlander's hands, leaving three of them frozen, easy targets for the Mega Mortars. Though the Deadlander Omega managed to block some of the bombs, enough slipped through to blast the three frozen hands into hundreds of pieces. As the colossus convulsed in pain, it slammed everywhere with a few of its remaining hands, making sure to hang tightly to the pits edges whilst it crushed several of the Mega Mortars.

Termite Captain: DAMN IT, OUR WEAPONS!!!

Knowing how important the mortars were, Elizant rushed in and managed to carry one out of the Deadlander's reach right before it could be smashed. The Termites all stared at her and muttered in admiration (even the Captain), but she was quick to stop and refocus their attention.

Elizant: I need as much ammunition as you can bring me, all of you!

Termite Captain: A-a-aye-aye, Queen Elizant! Troops, get her some bombs! And once she's armed the rest of you go man whatever mortars are still standing!

Termite Soldiers: Sir, yes, sir!!!

The Termites were quick to scramble towards the bombs and mortars, setting them up for the continued attack. The Deadlander gave a bellowing growl as it stared at Elizant, who stood confidently whilst her mortar was loaded. When two of its hands lunged forward to attack her they were quickly frozen by Leif. The monster barely had the time to screech again as its hands were quickly shattered by the Ant Queen's cannon, and though it tried grabbing it her she was able to dash away, Mega Mortar in hand, and await more ammunition.

Elizant: Hurry, Soldiers! I need you!

Termite Captain: Damn it, Your Highness, we're running out of ammo!

The Termites struggled to help, however, as the Deadlander continued shaking the ground and attacking their weapons, even as its hands were shattered.

Kabbu: Queen Elizant!...Aha!

Kabbu noticed a lone bomb and the ground and quickly dashed towards it, leaving Vi to support Leif on her own.

Vi: Kabbu, what the hell???

Leif: It's fine, Vi, we think we're getting the hang of this!

Vi; Yeah, right!

Meanwhile, Kabbu grabbed the bomb and continued sprinting over to Elizant, narrowly avoiding some of the Deadlander's swipes before he reached her. After seeing Kabbu's dodges, Vi gasped and patted Leif on the back excitedly.

Vi: You got this, Leif!

Before Leif could question anything Vi let go of him and ran off to follow Kabbu. Though not perfectly steady Leif was at least able to stand as he continued charging, meanwhile Elizant took the bomb from Kabbu with a nod and readied her cannon once more.

Elizant: Now for the perfect moment...

Vi: Kabbu, I got an idea!

Without warning Vi grabbed Kabbu and laboriously carried him into the air, trying to hold tight as he flailed and squealed.

Kabbu: VI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!?!?

Vi: Don't yell at me, yell at the monster! We gotta get its attention!

Kabbu: What!?

Vi: All you Wasps! Fly up with me! We gotta annoy that thing!

Wasp Soldier: Are you nuts?!

Leif took a moment to think before he understood what Vi was trying.

Leif: [It's so risky...but if it works...] Listen to her! Get flying!

The Wasps all suddenly jolted to attention before they flew up, joining Vi in the air as Kabbu cleared his throat and tried getting a taunt ready.

Kabbu: Y-Y-you vile beast! Do you not know what we are capable of??? No matter your size or power, our combined forces can eliminate anything! Even a horrific, destructive creature such as yourself!!!

The Deadlander roared again, sending all but two of its remaining hands at Kabbu to try and snatch him out of the sky. The Wasps, for their part, all gathered together around Kabbu and Vi before throwing a barrage of spears and needles down onto the Deadlander's eyes. Though it hardly took much damage, the monster was seemingly enraged enough to start reaching even more fiercely, even pulling itself out of the hole a little.

Leif: C'mon...

Elizant: Stay still...

Leif: Just gotta wait...

Elizant: I must make this count...

When the hands were all in position, Leif launched an extra-powerful Icefall, knocking himself over but freezing all the hands reaching for Kabbu into one huge chunk of ice. As the frozen limbs crashed to the ground with their combined weight, Elizant aimed her final blast and launched the bomb straight into the icy chunk, obliterating the hands within. Vi and the Wasps cheered at their apparent victory but were silenced when the Deadlander crawled out of the hole and grasped Leif with the two hands it had left.

Leif: Gah...y-you...AGH!

The Deadlander growled with every one of its eyes staring Leif down, threatening to crush him in its grip. It took the last of Leif's power to freeze the hands holding him, enraging the monster once more.

Kabbu:...Unhand my friend, you utter MENACE!

But the Deadlander ignored him, keeping its eyes on Leif. The creature began lifting its frozen hands as if it intended to drag Leif into the hole with it.

Vi: HE SAID PUT HIM DOWN!!!

Vi put all her might into bringing Kabbu horn-first towards the Deadlander's frozen hands, and the Beetle managed to pierce clean through the monster's chilled wrists, severing the hands from the rest of its body. With Vi and Kabbu now right by the ice Leif was still trapped in, they grabbed their ally and attempted to pull him out.

Kabbu: Worry not, Leif, we will retrieve you!

But the Deadlander continued staring at Leif, growling as it crawled as best as it could and towered over him and his teammates.

Vi: What? You think we'll let you take him?! You'll need to do something REAL bad to separate us!

Kabbu: We are Team Snakemouth! No matter what happens, we will continue to fight for each other and for the peace of all lands!!!

Leif: Guys...

The Deadlander Omega roared again, but was interrupted when Queen Elizant II threw her Mega Mortar directly at one of its eyes. As the creature reeled and slipped back into the hole, the Ant Queen ran up to it and delivered a punch strong enough to shatter a boulder straight into the same eye. With that final blow, the Deadlander fell into the pit, no hands to grab the edges with, and released a seemingly endless roar as it faded from view. This roar was only interrupted by heavy quake, shaking the Forsaken Lands one final time before things went silent once again.

Kina:...Ah, gods...is it done?...

Maki: Yeah...I think it is...

Kina: Ahhhh, fffuck...

Queen Elizant wasted no time in prying open the frozen hands that trapped Leif, and as soon as he was free Kabbu and Vi jumped in to squeeze the Moth in a powerful hug.

Leif: Your Majesty, you...saved us...

Elizant: Leif, your plan saved all of Bugaria.

Vi: What the-he didn't do it alone!!!!!

Kabbu: Vi...

Elizant: No, Kabbu, she is right. Her idea helped us seal the victory, as did the might of your horn.

Kabbu scratched his head and blushed while Vi huffed with a smug face.

Elizant: But the Wasps helped as well, as did the Termites with their weaponry...

The Ant Queen had more whom she wanted to thank, but she was interrupted by the Wasp King groaning and getting up.

Elizant: And you...

The Wasp King:...Gah...my...my crown! Where is my crown!?!?!?

Elizant: Hoaxe, was it?

Hoaxe: You...how dare you-what!?

The once "King" of the Wasps noticed Leif wearing the crown he was typically seen with, and he was filled with a burning rage before running straight towards the Moth and his friends.

Hoaxe: Give me back my crown, you-

Hoaxe was quickly hit with a powerfully chilling blast, encasing all but his head in a giant block of ice.

Hoaxe: What the-gah! M-my flames! They can't melt it!

Leif: Yeah, we're thinking that the ice we just used is too strong for you to melt.

Vi: Either that or your powers just suck too much!

Kabbu: It could be both!

Team Snakemouth shared a small laugh, though Hoaxe growled and glared at them.

Elizant: Leif, I'm not quite certain I understand...What is that crown?

Leif: We're not certain either, Your Highness, but if we had to guess...

Leif took the crown off his head and looked up to see the Wasps in the air clutching their heads once more, before one looked to the ground in confusion.

Wasp Soldier: What the-?...Did...did we win?

Leif:...We think the crown somehow gave Hoaxe the ability to control the Wasps, which is how he stole Queen Vanessa's throne.

Hoaxe: I had earned the throne from that weakling!!!

Leif: What's more, we noticed that he never used his fire when he didn't have it on. Made us think he needed it for those flames to be full-strength.

Kabbu: So it must increase the power of whatever magic you have!

Vi: That was probably why it gave you that crazy super ice! Cool, can I try it?

Leif:...

Vi: What, I just wanna see...maybe use it...just a little?

Leif: Even if that weren't an awful idea, we don't think anyone should have power like this.

Hoaxe: What are you doing?...

Leif held the crown tightly in his hands and encased it in a small block of ice before throwing it into another of the Forsaken Lands many holes, ignoring the furious shouts of Hoaxe.

Hoaxe: No!!! My crown!!! You wretched pest, I will incinerate you when I get out of here!!!

Wasp Soldier: Hoaxe?

Hoaxe: Wha-

Hoaxe looked around, terrified to notice all the Wasps he once controlled looking at him with various negative emotions on their faces.

Hoaxe:...I am your King! Do you hear me, I am your King!!!

Wasp Soldier: Dude, shut up.

Leif: We're sorry, Wasps, for what you had endure under his boot. And, uhhh, sorry for our commands too...

Wasp Soldier: Hey, at least things'll go back to normal now, right?

Termite Soldier: Are you kidding? That monster broke shit all over, it'll takes moons to fix!

Vi: Well, hey, we worked together to beat the monster! We can work together to fix stuff too, right?

Leif: Well, well, a solution from Vi that's more than just hitting stuff.

Vi: Yeah, I'm kinda smart, honestly.

Leif rolled his eyes and lightly smacked Vi in the back of the head, annoying her and getting Kabbu and Elizant to chuckle heartily. Their laughter proved to be contagious, as everyone there but Hoaxe ended up joining in. It was for more than a simple joke, though. They laughed for they had won. They were successful in stopping the Deadlander Omega, and it looked like peace would return to all their kingdoms...

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Back at The Hive, Bianca and Vanessa stood with worried expressions as they waited to hear on what happened in the Forsaken Lands. They hadn't seen the Deadlander, so they had to wonder: were Elizant and her group successful? The two Queens didn't think on it much more as Elizant and her Explorers (as well as some Wasps and Termites) arrived at the Hive's Plaza, looking battle-worn but otherwise safe.

Bianca: Oh! Vi!!!

The Bee Queen rushed over to her daughter and lifted the little Bee up, squeezing her tight and kissing her cheek repeatedly. Meanwhile, Yin had crawled up towards Bianca's legs before seeing Maki again and opening her arms wide.

Yin: Muh!!!

Maki: Yin! Oh, thank all the gods you're safe!

Maki kneeled down and patted Yin on the head with a bright smile across his face. Normally Kina would be annoyed by her brother giving so much attention to someone else, but between what they just went through and the sheer joy he seemed to have she couldn't help but smile along. Meanwhile, Vi was half-playfully trying to fly out of her mother's loving grip.

Vi: Queen Bianca, c'mon!!!

Bianca: Oh, my child, I have before never been so proud as I am now with you and your friends and...

Bianca briefly loosened her hold on Vi and gave a warm, calm smile to Elizant, who even then looked away as though embarrassed.

Bianca: Elizant...I am eternally grateful. You guided my daughter to safety. You guided all of these Bugs to safety.

Elizant: B-B-Bianca, please...I only played a small part in this victory.

Vanessa: Mayhaps, Elizant, but you are a Queen. A leader. Surely you deserve at least a bit of credit...

Vanessa was caught off-guard when she saw some of her Wasps carrying an angry and restrained Hoaxe into the Hive's Plaza.

Wasp Soldier: Queen Vanessa! We have the usurper!

Vanessa: So you do...

Vanessa took some steps towards Hoaxe, who glared up at her like he intended to bite her neck.

Hoaxe: You idiot! You are ALL idiots! I will escape, and when I do I will burn your kingdoms to the ground!!!

Vanessa: Hoaxe...you came to my home battered and bruised, nearly dead, and yet with all you have done afterwards I still feel I may have been too nice...

Queen Vanessa sighed and shook her head.

Vanessa:...But...I think you may have a chance, perhaps even the right, for improvement.

Hoaxe: I need no such thing!!!!!

Vanessa:...However long it takes...

Vi: So, like, how were you guys gonna celebrate our victory? Statues or something?

Leif: We could go for a feast.

Vi: A feast??? Bro, are you kidding??? We can eat whenever we want, what the hell do we need a feast for???

Fuff: If I may interject, I could really go for some feasting...

The Bugs there were surprised when General Fuff and Dr. H.B. made their way into the plaza. Bianca was most excited, softly putting down Vi before running up to the Doctor and giving her a hug as well.

Bianca: Honey Bee! The machine you and General Fuff made helped save all of Bugaria.

H.B.: Heh, I know.

Vanessa: Fuff...

Vanessa made her to Fuff, who wrapped his arms around her and nearly burst into frightful tears.

Fuff: OH GODS, QUEEN VANESSA, I THOUGHT I WAS A GONERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Vanessa: F-Fuff!...I am so...so sorry you had to go through all that. Just know that you are a hero, and shall be awarded as such.

Vi: But how're we gonna do that?!

Elizant: We shall head to the Golden Settlement. There the plans for reward, as well as restoration, shall be discussed further.

Kabbu: Ah, restoration, of course! That monster caused all sorts of damage...

Kina: Can we even fix it all?

Vi: I mean, we took the thing down, that was pretty crazy!

Elizant: Regardless, we shall move towards the Golden Settlement. Termites, I suggest you bring your King as well. He is very much welcome, and if he is willing I have a proposition for him and the Queen.

Termite Captain: Understood, Queen Elizant! Troops, to the Termite Dome!

The Termite Soldiers there gave a collective salute and "Aye-aye!" before marching towards the Hive's elevator with their Captain. The Ant Queen walked too, Leif and the other explorers following behind as Bianca and Vanessa prepared to come themselves. Leif walked ahead of his team and the rest of the Explorers, moving right alongside Elizant.

Leif: [Is it us or did the Termite Captain sound respectful?]

Elizant: [I feel he did as well...]

Elizant remained quiet afterwards, deep in thought as she continued moving.

Elizant: [...Have things been repaired between my kingdom and the Termites? The monster was terrifying, but if it's pushed me to improve things so much...mother, I pray I am honoring your legacy...]

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Bugs from all over, all kingdoms, gathered in the Golden Settlement to celebrate surviving the Deadlander. The mood was very different from what it was earlier, as if the Golden Festival was happening again: many Bugs were still scared or worried, but at the same time there was relief, joy, safety. Some even prayed, not for Venus's protection but to praise and thank her. The Bugs were eventually brought to attention when Queen Elizant II came to the stage in the center of the settlement, and they watched with bated breath as she stood firmly.

Elizant: People of Bugaria and beyond, my subjects and my children, both and neither. It brings me infinite comfort to inform you all that the Deadlander Omega has been conquered, and shall no longer harass and damage our beloved homes!

Immediately Bugs erupted in cheers, Bees and Wasps buzzed into the air with joy as Ants and Termites hugged and lifted each other cheerily.

Elizant: Make no mistake, however, I am far from the only one who should be credited: I give great thanks to my Explorers, especially Team Snakemouth, without whom the creature may never have been stopped.

Vi: Especially, Leif, yeahhhhh!!!!!!

Kabbu clapped and cheered right alongside Vi, nearly drowning out the crowd all on his own in his support. Leif, for his part, just stood lax and content.

Elizant: I must also thank the Termite Kingdom, and the Wasp Kingdom, whose people granted us the means to reach and fight the Deadlander in the best manner possible.

Once more cheers rang aloud, as the Wasps bowed respectfully and Termites gave strong salutes.

Elizant: I thank Queen Bianca and Vanessa for their support, and I thank two of their kingdoms' most esteemed members for creating a machine that helped greatly in taking the monster down: much praise goes to Dr. H.B. and General Fuff!

As the crowd cheered again H.B. gave her signature laugh with a proud fist on her hip and an arm around Fuff, who was blushing with his face in his hands.

Elizant: And yes...even the "Wasp King" was instrumental in taking down the menace...

Before Elizant continued she looked over to Vanessa, who glanced away at the mention of the usurper.

Elizant:...However, it cannot be understated how he abused Bugs from both his own kingdom and all of ours. From attacking my subjects to forcing his own into unquestioned servitude. As such, he has been incarcerated for his actions, and I shall assist in the return of the Wasp Kingdom's Throne to its rightful ruler, Queen Vanessa II!

Vanessa gasped when she heard her name, and when Elizant came to grab her hand and bring her to the stage she could barely do anything but stammer.

Vanessa: E-E-Elizant! I...[I do not deserve that throne...after my failures, I-]

Bianca: Worry not, Vanessa! All our kingdoms shall be supporting each other!

Elizant: Absolutely! The Bee and Ant Kingdoms shall do everything in our power to help with the Wasp Kingdom's restoration.

Bianca: And of course, Elizant, we shall help with cleaning up your own home as well.

Elizant: And if the Termite Royals are willing...

Elizant looked to King Hector IV, who was standing borderline stone-faced with his soldiers.

Elizant:...We shall dedicate as many resources as we are able to repairing the Termite Dome.

Hector glared at the Ant Queen for a moment, but then he just sighed and shook his head.

Hector:...Very well. And just so you don't think we owe you a favor, the Termites will contribute our brilliant technology to trivialize the restoration efforts.

H.B. rolled her eyes.

H.B.: [Yeah right, like it's better than my work.]

At any rate, the crowd blew up in cheers and applause again, catching the Termite King off-guard and getting him just a little flustered.

Elizant: This is the start of a new era! Tonight we shall feast, and then we shall unite to create a beautiful future! All our kingdoms will work to not just repair Bugaria, but turn it into a land more prosperous than any of us ever could have dreamed of!!!

Cheering broke out one last time, with Bugs all throughout the Golden Settlement celebrating the future that was to come. Though weak, a lone Bud of Venus's stayed close by, listening in on the merriment. Considering the anguish and fear she had to listen to before, the Goddess smiled softly as she listened to the crowd.

Venus:...Bugs are such fascinating things...So small, but they can do so much...

The celebration was loud and hearty, and it went on all through the night. It was almost as if the terrors from just before never happened. True to Queen Elizant's word, efforts on restoration went into full-force very shortly after the celebration. Bees and Termites lent their technology, whilst Ants lent their strength. The Wasp Kingdom was prioritized initially, but it didn't take long for things to improve everywhere, for everyone. For her cooperation and leadership, Queen Elizant II quickly grew to be favored by the public, both within and outside her kingdom. Her willingness to unite Bugaria proved to be very successful, and in her work and success she eventually forgot all about the Everlasting Sapling. Seeing no need for the Sapling to improve her life or the life of her subjects, its legacy as a legend continued on, with the artifacts simply remaining in the Ant Kingdom.

Even the Termites were happy with the Ant Queen's efforts, to the point that before the Dome was fully repaired it had been decreed that Ants were once more allowed within Termite Kingdom territory. Between the Ant Tunnels and various machines from all kingdoms, entry into and out of the Termite Dome became easier than it had ever been. At some point, the Forsaken Lands became even more abandoned than it already was, usually only being traveled by those seeking for scares or thrills...but convenience was not the only reason those lands stopped seeing travelers. For if one were to enter, and visit near largest pits, one could supposedly experience low rumbling, feel the slightest of quakes, and hear the echoes of distant growls and roars...