Chapter Text
Nights in the Ant Kingdom were generally quiet. Most bugs go to bed shortly after the sun sets, and most wake up shortly after it rises. It's simple enough to understand, really. During the daytime, the sky was bright and beautiful, perfect for shops to be open, work to be done, and for citizens to go about their business. Sure, there’s evidence that this was not the case before the Awakening, but that’s only for a select few species of bugs; the majority of them have been running on the same cycle as the sun.
Professor Neolith, the esteemed researcher for Queen Elizant II (and the entirety of the Ant Kingdom, at that), was not one of those bugs.
It was no secret that the brown moth was one of the few bugs to be up so late at night, and with the amount of work that was constantly piled up for him to do, it’s no wonder that this constantly happened. He always stayed up super late, way past when the sun had set. Neo knew that this probably wasn’t the… healthiest thing for him to do, but with how many papers he had to write and with the number of experiments that still needed their data computed and organized, it wasn’t easy for him to fall out of his ridiculous sleep schedule.
Right now, it was well within the middle of the night, and Neo was busy trying to work on another report of the data from one of his experiments. He had loads of them, and keeping track was almost as much of a pain as actually doing the experiments. The one he was looking at was related to Leif and his ice magic.
It was something that Neo always wanted to get a look at for himself, but the blue moth was initially hesitant to agree. That had weirded out Neo; it wasn’t like he was going to dissect them or anything! He had asked Leif to just do some demonstrations of his magic while he recorded the energy output from the spells.
What he had found ended up being super interesting. Size and shape had nothing to do with the amount of energy being outputted. Regardless of whether it was a huge icicle, or the smallest ice cube, the amount of energy used remained the same. That seemed counterintuitive, and, frankly, utterly nonsensical.
What really mattered was the number of times the magic was cast, particularly in quick succession. Carefully calculated magic seemed to have the biggest energy output, whereas just throwing a bunch of icicle spears was comparably smaller. The same number of uses of magic could still be as effective if spaced apart together and timed really quickly.
It actually ended up being a huge benefit for both parties; Leif learned more effective ways to use their magic, and Neo got himself some valuable data on the magic Leif had.
And that very same data could be a key to connecting the energy in the crystals surrounding Bugaria to the early experiments done by the roaches in Snakemouth Den! This could be a breakthrough!
Now all he had to do was write the report and present his data to Queen Elizant II. Which… Easier said than done.
Neo dipped his pen in the ink jar, writing down one last line of a paragraph. The brown moth tended to get a little… invested in what he was talking about, so he wanted to make sure that it was clear and easy to read and understand. He finished the paragraph and took a close look at the paper, reading it over.
The data provided by the subject was able to be interpreted in a manner that allowed for a much more nuanced numerical summary, something that was unexpected when going into the experiment. It was initially theorized that the data was purely qualitative, that is, the size and shape of the subject’s creations were the only factor when measuring the energy output.
It turns out that those two factors had no noticeable effect. Under 20 different trials with objects at different sizes, each trial spaced about 10 minutes apart, there was a consistent 500 kW of energy output, with a margin of error at about 2.5%, at a 95% confidence interval.
What did end up changing the amount of energy output was the number of times used, particularly in quick succession. This was harder to observe concretely, but this meant that the more the subject used their abilities, the less energy that was output. When used 20 times a minute, the energy output dropped to a staggering 2.5 kW on the 21st time used. This scales at a linear rate, meaning when done 10 times per minute, the 11th time used had an observed energy output of 5 kW.
That was just a snippet of what was written, but it was the most important part with all of the essential data. Yet… something about it didn’t feel right. It felt like the most delicious Leaf Omelet made with the most impeccable Aphid Egg, but the presentation of the omelet was… well, it certainly wouldn’t look like an omelet.
Would anyone actually be able to understand any of these words if I just presented these with no prior explanation? Neo thought. The bugs of the kingdom didn’t want to hear nonsense about a margin of error or what the confidence interval was; they just wanted the results and what it meant for them and the kingdom.
Maybe I’m overreacting. I mean, it’s not like I’m gonna be giving a speech in front of loads of bugs. It’s probably only gonna be Team Snakemouth, the Queen, and her advisors that I’m going to tell. Neo internally paused, looking back down at the incomplete report. But… it still wouldn’t make any sense to them. He internally sighed.
He’d have to make a simplified report. One that just gives the general idea in only a couple of paragraphs. He would still keep the current one, but only to himself to use in future observations.
All that thinking about omelets made me hungry now, Neo idly thought. He figured it was probably time for him to stop on the report. He could finish it some other time. For now he could probably run to the kitchen and find something to snack on.
Neo put the report on a stack of several papers and then put away his materials. He got up from his desk, turned out the small lantern, and then turned to walk over to the kitchen, aiming to get a snack. What he failed to realize, though, was that staying up so late at night completely drained him, and he suddenly felt really weak. I’m… I should probab-
He wasn’t able to get another thought out before promptly passing out and falling face first onto the floor of his small home.
Turns out he was one of those bugs, after all, even if his sleep was a little… involuntary.
When Neo woke up, he was first met with a face full of floor. And sunlight; a lot of sunlight. He didn’t know what time it was, but it was certainly well past sunrise. Never ended up getting that late night snack, he idly thought.
He pushed himself up off of the floor and took a quick look down at himself. He never even took off his belt, or for that matter, combed his neck fluff, something that he always did before going to bed.
He’d been tired before, but never so tired to the point where he straight up passed out. Maybe it was a sign that he needed to take a break.
He turned to his desk, spotting the report sticking out from the stack of papers he put it on. He internally panicked, remembering the disclarity in the draft and promptly pushed anything else out of mind. No. I have to finish that first, and then… I can take a small break, he thought. But first, breakfast. Need to eat something.
He went over to the kitchen, like he had initially intended last night, but his body had other plans. A couple glances through some cabinets and storage containers told him that he had little to nothing to have. Guess I’d better go out and do some shopping. But before that, Neo had to make himself look presentable.
He rushed over to his small bed and grabbed a few things. A bag, a wallet of berries, and his prized notebook that he always took with him everywhere he went. He never left without, and if anyone ever tried to steal it…
…He’d rather not think about something like that happening.
He also double checked that he looked nice, making sure his neck fluff was combed well enough and that his antennae and wings were nice and neat. A disheveled appearance was something that never looked good, especially for such an esteemed professor as himself.
Right as he was about to exit the house, he took one last look over to his desk, that same report paper staring right at him. It was haunting him. He needed to get it done. The people of the Ant Kingdom depended on such a breakthrough discovery as this!
He shook himself out of it. Just gonna get some breakfast, do some shopping, and then go right back home, he thought. Won’t even take me that long. He faced forward, put a smile on his face, and stepped out of his house.
There were already loads of bugs outside, all walking around the area. His house was in the residential district of the kingdom, but it was most secluded from the rest of the houses, so it wasn’t easily spotted. Neo closed the door behind him and began to walk down the path towards the commercial district.
It was really nice out. Super clear with no cloud cover, and the air smelled as fresh as ever. The spring feeling really did bring out the best in bugs, especially Neo. The flowers beginning to bloom was always such a delight to see, and he took joy in taking time to observe them. He passed by what looked like some newly blooming hyacinths. The colors of them were all gorgeous! The pink and purple ones particularly stuck out to him. He wondered if-
Breakfast, Shopping, Home, he quickly thought, interrupting himself. Can’t distract myself. He quickly moved on from the flowers and kept walking not wanting to distract himself any longer.
He figured he’d get something at Fry’s, since that seemed quick and easy. He just needed to get the ingredients for whatever he was wanting first. A Leaf Omelet sounds good. He went into the commercial district and went straight for the store. While he was there, he also figured he’d get some more stuff to make at home.
When he stepped in, he did not expect to find some familiar faces in the store. Team Snakemouth were standing in the store, looking very intently at different items to buy. “Oh! I didn’t expect to find you guys here,” Neo exclaimed, getting their attention. Gotta keep up a friendly conscience. He’d rather not have to interact with much of anyone, but Team Snakemouth, he didn’t mind.
“N-Neo!” Kabbu yelled out, suddenly turning around. “What a pleasant s-surprise it is seeing you here!” He put a grin on his face. Kabbu, his old friend. He never got tired of him. No matter how bad of a mood Neo would ever be in, or how tough things would get, he was always able to depend on the beetle. He was just so loyal and charitable.
“Same to you!” He smiled back at him. The beetle seemed rather odd, however. “You don’t look so good. Are you feeling alright?”
Kabbu seemed to short circuit, but then Leif took a step forward. “You’ll have to pardon him,” he said. “He’s been feeling a little jumpy lately. Chompy keeps waking him up in his sleep.” The moth’s stone cold face couldn’t give Neo any sort of idea on how he meant that, but he didn’t wanna read too deep into it. Kabbu didn’t seem to know how to respond either
“Yeah, that plant has been seriously annoying,” Vi suddenly butted in, coming to Kabbu’s other side. She seemed to be hoarding a lot of Honey Drops. “I keep telling Leif to train her better, but they say she’s doing alright.”
“And she is.” Leif narrowed his eyes at Vi. “We’ve been doing a perfectly good job.”
“Just a few days ago she ran around the plaza with my beemarang clamped up in her mouth!” Vi groaned. “I had to clean up all of the slobber off of it for HOURS.” Neo let out a rather loud laugh. He would’ve loved to see something like that.
“Okay, enough, you two!” Kabbu interjected. “I am perfectly fine. Just a little tired, is all.” He looked over at Neo, observing the moth. “You have- Ah. You’ve got something on your eye.”
“What!? Where?” Neo picked at his eyes, feeling sleep fall off from them. He must really have been tired. I literally passed out, so that’s unsurprising.
“You passed out!?” Vi screamed out.
“Shoot. Did I say that out loud?” Neo was mortified. “Aw, dang.” He sighed. “Yes, I passed out last night. I was just up doing a lot of research and filling out that report about the experiment I did with Leif.”
“How flattering,” Leif said in the most monotone voice possible. “You stayed up all night thinking about us.”
“Well, when you put it like that, it sounds less… academic.” Neo shook his head. Breakfast, Shopping, Home. “A-Anyway! Forget about that! I’ve got to do some errands and get some breakfast then I’m heading right back home. Gotta finish that report, y’know?”
“When exactly do you have to have it done, anyway?” Kabbu asked.
“…I have no clue.” Neo didn’t want to lie. “But that won’t matter as long as I get it done in time!” He went past the three of them and went to the counter of the shop, asking for some items for a Leaf Omelet, and then a hefty amount of some other things that he could use for his own cooking.
As he was exchanging the items for berries at the counter, Kabbu continued to talk to him. “Hey! If you are, uhh… I mean- We were going to have breakfast over at Fry’s. If you wanted to tag along, that would be cool.”
The brown moth looked over at Kabbu, who seemed to look rather uncomfortable. He looked up and noticed that Leif was looking right at Neo. And… for some reason, their gaze seemed to bite through him like ice, but… it barely even changed.
The room also felt colder.
“Y-Yeah, actually, that’s where I was planning on going,” Neo replied. The temperature of the room seemed to go down. What in the world was that about? “Uhh, I hope we don’t take too long though. I have some other stuff to attend to afterwards.”
“That is not a problem!” Kabbu exclaimed. “Just spending time with you is enough to be grateful for, Neo.” The moth smiled and felt himself blush ever so slightly. He’d be wrong if he said he didn’t appreciate how nice Kabbu was to him. It made his stomach go haywire.
“Stop being such a sap, Kabbu,” Vi said, nudging him with her elbow. “But, yeah, you’re pretty cool, Neo.”
“Yeah,” Leif agreed. “You’re not as cool as us, though.”
“Boo!!” Vi yelled out, making a thumbs down with her hand.
Leif smirked and rolled his eyes. “We’ll be waiting outside for you.” Leif left the building and was seen walking right to Fry’s. Vi followed closely behind, the honey drops she was once carrying now mysteriously gone. She definitely has a huge stash of stuff, Neo thought.
The bug at the counter nudged Neo and he turned around, seeing that they had his bags of stuff. Neo thanked them and grabbed the bags. He turned to the exit and saw that Kabbu was waiting on him.
“Oh! Did you want to help me carry these out? How nice!!” Neo exclaimed, smiling at him.
“O-Oh. Yeah! Of course! Allow me,” Kabbu said, quickly taking a bag from him. The beetle seriously never failed to amaze Neo at how honorable he was. He really did like him for who he was, and maybe, if given the time, he might even want to-
Breakfast, Shopping, Home, Neo suddenly thought. That is what you went out for. Nothing more.
Breakfast, Shopping, Home.
Breakfast.
Shopping.
Home.
Neo did nothing but repeat those three words to himself as he and Kabbu made the rest of their over to Fry’s.
That’s all that was important, after all.