A group of ants led by a strong soldier are engaged in combat with an unusual creature. This thing is larger than the ants, covered in a strange form of fur growing off thin bones. It mercilessly gobbles the ants up with its hard, triangular mouth. This creature is called the ‘Imitator Sparrow’, a dangerous bird that lures in ants by mimicking their chirps. Through the use of their powerful talons and mighty wings, this bird causes the ants to freeze in fear. Just as the soldier’s life meets its end, their antenna picks up a strange scent.

Through pheromones, the soldier reads “Save them Monri!” before a shadow is cast over her. Her inevitable death doesn’t come. Opening her eyes, she sees the imitator sparrow, freshly skewered by a disfigured spider leg. All the ants shake in fear at seeing the new threat before them. This fear is suddenly soothed when a figure appears from atop the monster, asking if they're safe. They have never seen this ant, yet they know her on a primal level. All the surviving ants bow, humbling themselves before the princess they never knew existed. In perfect synchronisation, the ants confirm their okay, referring to Ari as ‘Your Highness’.

The giant monster lowers its head to the ground, and the princes promptly descend. Upon reaching the ground, Ari realises the ants are prostrating, making her slightly uncomfortable.
“T-there is no need for bowing. I only just became a princess, such formality is still rather embarrassing for me,” nervously chirps Ari. As all the ants’ eyes fill with admiration, Ari feels the need to do a good job. “Monri, take care of the corpse, please,” orders Ari through pheromones. Ari intends to take the corpse home as foodstuffs, yet the others’ reactions portray disbelief. Creeping her gaze around, she checks, stunned by the sight. The monster’s body has been reduced to slithering tendrils, forming a cocoon around the bird. She stumbles back in disbelief, too stunned to answer the ants’ questions. An eyeball shoots open on Monri’s cocoon, showing Ari her own reflection. “W-what is happening?” thinks Ari as countless eyes stare at her.

Assuming the situation is dangerous, the ants move to protect their princess. Their acts of carrying her off startle Ari, causing her to respond too late. The cocoon of eyes perceives this as kidnapping. Several tentacles tipped with spikes slice through the air. Sensing the imminent danger, Ari breaks free and shields herself. The weight of the tentacles causes her legs to buckle. She sends a command to Monri to stop, but to her shock, it doesn’t change anything. Blow after blow, pain shoots through her body; it takes all she has to warn the other ants to retreat. One of her legs breaks, her focus is lost, and her guard becomes vulnerable. A tentacle seizes the opportunity, right for the head. As Ari begins collapsing, the tentacle stops, an eyeball growing from the limb. Ari and the eyeball lock eyes; the sense of being judged quickly instils within her.

As Ari lies there being judged, she is unable to think of what to do. She hears loud footsteps behind her, a familiar chirp filling the air. The 172^nd ant general, the same who brought her to the Queen, was charged to save her. In horror, she watches the tentacles twitch, understanding what happens next. With all the means available to her, she tries to warn the general. Tendrils zoom through the air, colliding with the general. Unlike Ari, it can defend effectively, slowly backing away with each blow. The tendrils stopped. Creeping forward, the general is once again attacked, but the blows stop when she backs away. Ari’s message reaches the general, and they realise Ari is safe. Deducing that the tentacles can’t go out of a certain radius, the general makes a decision. She informs Ari that they will lock down the area and seek advice from Queen Aritsu.

A horde of ants encircles the fleshy cocoon, comprising mostly soldiers and five general eviction ants. These ants appear to be waiting for something, which seems to arrive as they make way. Passing through the gap and entering attack range comes a giant ant. It possesses a sharper exoskeleton than the rest, the only thing sharper being its expression. This ant is one of thirty defiants, who, while normally larger than wolves, are currently shrunk. Countless tendrils attempt to slice this ant. Expertly using its exoskeleton and legs, the defiant dice all the attacks. Its blood red eyes, containing black veins, glare at the fleshy cocoon. The defiant then unleashes a deafening screech, stunning the attacking monster.

Unfazed by the attacks from Monri, the defiant calmly advances. As it approaches Ari, its pace slows, eventually to a stop. The menacing air around the defiant lessens as it bows its head towards Ari.            
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, First Princess Ari. I am Elchi the 11th, evolved, defiant eviction ant, and charged with your safety by her Majesty. You appear to be in a rather precarious situation. Would you like me to remove you from it?” questions the defiant, unfazed by the resumed tendril attacks.
Worriedly, Ari chirps, “Are you okay, Elchi? You're taking quite a lot of blows… I-I think I’m okay for now, so please get to safety,” is all she managed before suddenly being enveloped in squishy darkness. 

Ari feels a squishy warmth as she sinks into an abyss of muscle. She can only barely hear the frantic chirping outside, and her body doesn’t move. The warmth fades, and cold takes over, as the streams of flesh begin changing. The grotesque sight doesn’t fill Ari with fear or disgust, as only one word fills her mind. Beautiful. She admires the beauty of the sight before her, overwhelmed by its complexity and strength. Yet most of all, the pair of shining wings that began forming captures her heart with their radiant shine.