Squad name, leader!

«Rory's POV»

Waking up to a bunch of others who are as equally as groggy as I am and why is that you ask?

Well, the answer to that is because of silver and his active need to explain that is just how he is though...

Everyone else helped none with questions like children, Not able to understand is the least of the issue.

It was more like understanding everything important, But missing the point of its importance!

while not understanding that even magic can be magical but while being magical it is still physically bound to our imaginations...

I did not stop him from explaining and I even aided him making me no better but I am just not used to being in a group or surrounded by others.

I know it is me because even in the orphanage...

I preferred it being in peace, being able to stay alone it was just easier.

No, i am not regretting it.

I just dont have the aptitude for people one was fine.*

This many on the other hand has become a burden, not because of the explanations or the insistent questions but because there are now others who take away from my simple peace.

don't get me wrong I am not one to be selfish but when it comes to my possessions I get itchy...

They don't ask much of him but seem to consume time.

it has only got worse since I've been with silver maybe I am just a bit too overzealous?

or maybe I am not and I need to have more control over my things...

'meh.'

maybe I am just overreacting and I need more rest...

I mean we are safe in our little hideout and as long as no one digs or hammers, or makes any loud noise with rhythm.

I was tired either way and plush is always the best cushion so I made an effort to look for him.

The issue was I couldn't find him.

Although I didn't look very hard, usually when I think of him he always appears.

I saw Rico sitting in a chair across the room

it seems weird though, so instead of sleeping I began to look Plush.

I soon after we realized that perv... I mean mint was gone also she usually makes sure to let me know before disappearing because she knows I worry.

I heard a banging, A few screeches but mostly I heard fighting!

a few minutes later we heard a scream it was Len he was as high pitched as one of the girls, which drew everyone to him.*

Rory: what is it?

Len: the hole look in the hole!!!!

Rico: what hole?

Rory: everyone dodge!

*me screaming made everyone jump from one place to another.

in each place, a person was standing shot out a small ant.

I looked at silver as we have had this happen before it was in the basement when we got trapped, we had a swarm of Worms that rushed us from below.*

*Silver and I had no problems he began to strike them down but when he Hit the ant it sprayed a mist in his face making him drop like a rock.

The same to the others who were in close combat, all got hit with it.

Len and Me were left.

He had a spear in his had with enough reach to Peirce and stay away from the smoke.

That is until the ants all opened their mouths and released mass amounts of white smoke.

Continue to kill ants which seemed to come at no end Even after I hardened the ground.

We made ourselves go overboard.

I saw Len hit the ground and pass out, My eyes grew Heavy and things went black!*

«Rico's POV»

Rico: ugh my head is spinning... the last thing I remember was a battle the ants!

Wait where is everyone!

what happened where am I?

???: My den.

Rico: huh? who was that?

???: I have no name my subjects just call me Queen or mother.

Rico: Subjects?

???: Yes the young that brought you here.

Rico: okay so I guess you had them bring me here but why?

???: Because I want you to do something for me.

Rico: I can't do something for someone I can't see.

Are you perhaps a tamer also?

???: I am the Queen of these ants, If you wish to see me, I will oblige you with my presence.

*Stepping out of a darker shaded room into the corridor I am in now.

A scuttled sound came, as A large ant appeared it shone a dull grey, again it spoke.*

Ant Queen: Now you have seen me...

Will you run or attack like the others?

Rico: I see no reason to hurt you if you are not going to hurt me?

What others?

AQ: You my dear are the fourth attempt.

I have had this level of intelligence since before the as you humans call it "apocalypse"

I hear you speak, vibrate, articulate, and I learn from your species.

So much more then I realized, the day of change came when my subjects began to manifest Brilliance.

Some time ago I felt a gentle connection making me more than just a simple insect, as your species calls me.

Rico: I see so it seems as I feared creatures are gaining sentience.

AQ: Yes Some developed Faster.

Some only gained a small bloodlust.

We differ from each other I encounter difficulties in exchange.

We have altercations like humans.

As such they are becoming worse and worse.

Rico: okay I'll help you but do me a favor and stop attacking my friends.

AQ: I am no longer in control of all the subjects.

Which is why I tasked the ones I can still control with bringing you and the others here.

They were weak willed and have perished at the hands of my daughter.

Rico: what Daughter?

AQ: I birthed a secondary, A princess for birth so my colony could grow.

She is Who has betrayed me.

She has grown In a Different way, I do not understand how but I am unable to control the subjects she takes.

The Group you are with are in a deep sleep a short ways behind you.

I apologize.

Rico: Okay I have an idea the ants you can control have them bring all my friends here please.

AQ: this I cannot do... It seems one of your companions is much fiercer then initially intended.

The ants perished,

Another had a strong scent of death, which kept my subjects vigilant, eventually they were scared away.

falling into her control...

Rico: I see than we do this with plan B.

the issue is how do I know I can trust you?

AQ: I have no ways to prove myself as trustworthy... I can provide you with assistance and a network.

I can not fight, so I have taken to another form of battle, I can help with the gathering of information.

I can create a colony given time.

these are a few of the things making me very valuable.

I can tell you things about most of the various races in the area.

I am a Monomorium pharaonis.

Rico: What is it you can do now?

AQ: I can create Three types of younglings.

Although with her they will eventually stray and become part of her colony...

she wants more and as such has taken all of my workers away from me.

I have a male guardians remaining for birthing purposes.

Rico: okay I see well I have a way that will make me trust you.

I can become your companion, I have no problems working with you.

AQ: if an alliance is what it takes I agree, because If this persist I will die...

I am not ready for the beyond!

Rico: Agreed.

Begin birthing your guardians, Although keep some in reserve for future use.

I promise my friends will not harm you or those followers ant.

AQ:... understood it is done.

*Taking a deep breath in, I made a quick gesture brought out my inventory.

I retrieved a whistle, Releasing all my air into the one breath it shrieked to

After a few minutes I heard another shrieking in return, I motioned for the ant queen to follow, Which was befitting.

After a few minutes I saw my group but they seemed to be in a rush at full speed, I saw them and immediately regretted using that whistle.

The ants were chasing them the ones last night were nowhere near as big as these ant.

They topped them by a few feet clocking in at about Three feet tall and four feet wide they were buff bastards!*

*I yelled at Rory to raise a wall behind them and she did making dirt rise throwing the big ants aside for a few short seconds.

I grabbed the wall and began forcing my mana into the roof, I forced it dowm after they passed me.

Rory And I made Solid Spires of dirt, Before we made in a frantic Get away.

Strategies are always good but the best strategy is the riddance of bravery its called a strategic retreat.

Our lives are safe which, to be honest, was my only care!*

* I grabbed a small bag of oil that I had made using animal fat, Rory's Fast she caught my attention pouring some of it down her arrow.

She lit it with a small flint I knew that thing would come in handy one day!

I tossed the rest of the bag at the spire tossing two more over, Rory fired as they began to break the wall.

Fire hit them but Not killing them as they pushed through.

while I continued with the plan much to my shock though the ants did not continue to burn either like I was hoping.

Prompting the Queen to speak in a bit of a jovial tune.*

AQ: Those are fully enhanced guardians I made them quite strong.

There is a bird of fire and a bird of ice that is much stronger and much more deadly, That was before my own kin turned traitor.

Rico: damn it well, Run it is

Rory: who are you talking to?

Rico: the big ant in front of me can you not hear her?

Rory: the only one I can hear talking is you...

Rico: oh... Well now is not the time for that.

it's time to retreat.

Make the roof cave in as we go...

*Right as I finished my sentence, I heard a loud deafening buzz.

All the ants around us started to scuttle a began to leave.

Leaving us alone Leon laugh while Rory and I look at each other.

I heard the queen ant speak again.*

AQ: She has once again grown stronger... She is withdrawing the workers for expansion and for birthing.

I can hear her voice in my mind!

I am stronger than that, You traitorous Welp!

it Seems Retreat is the only option we have.

*We all went for a short way towards the setting sun at the least, until I felt safe.

Leon had decided to sing continuing to repeat a phrase of a song I hadn't heard, At least since before the apocalypse.

After We all stopped sullen at our weakness, He didn't stop singing.

He just carried on with the song as if to lift our spirits, I didn't mind though it was a lovely sound.*

*It was a long while before Everyone woke up we just waited, I hadn't even realized that some were still sleeping.

I am glad we made it out safe with everyone intact.

It seems like Luck is our friend but for how long?

I listened to Leon sing and slowly began to feel a myriad of emotions.*

Leon: and the moon is the only light we'll see.

No, I won't be afraid.

oh, I won't be afraid.

just as long as you stand, stand by me.

SO DARLIN' DARLIN' STAND BY ME, OH STAND BY ME, OH STAND NOW, STAND BY ME!

Stand by me, oh if the sky that we look upon was to tumble and fall or the mountains we're to crumble to the sea.

i won't cry, I won't cry.

No, I won't shed a tear.

*As he continued to sing that song my mind was in turmoil.

Leon just kept singing even after they woke up.

I think it was his way of saying I am not alone, something I am not used to.... flashing on my mind was my mom.

She had always made sure no matter what!

Anyone in her house was taken care of, maybe I resent my life Not paying attention to those around me.

I am no longer alone!*

Leon: What are you sulking for huh boy did someone die?

Rico: no... but I let everyone down.

Leon: A situation, you had no control over I am amazed.

what are you the only person here?

I thought you were part of a squad, so far all I see is you whining over one little loss that everyone survived.

Rico: but I brought this upon everyone by dragging them out here.

What if we weren't ready for this.

Leon: what are you whining about you didn't make these people come out here they chose to follow the group?

You are acting like a Worm Nemo!

People make rational decisions follow leaders Now stop acting like a Bitch!

What is this squads name!

Rico: It doesn't have a name...

Leon: you are mistaken you little fool.

no one was in danger Boy... this was my test for you. If I had sensed danger I would have acted.

AQ: he is right, My subjects could not find him.

He killed the left over subjects, and pretended to slumber.

Rico: really?

Leon: Yes I suspect the creatures needed us alive, When none tried to hurt the group.

Turns out you ended up with the full story.

but it is so shallow of you to think that you let everyone down.

are you not the leader?

Rico: no I am not the leader...

AQ: you could have fooled me, The way you acted in the time was very leader like.

It seems like you are denying at heart the post given to you by Right!

Rico: I am not the leader.

I told everyone this, to begin with, I am not leader material.

Theo: still saying that huh.... maybe you really don't realize it but we are all in a squad lead by you for a reason.

Doug: really I think the squad thing is an understatement... we have enough people to form a guild.

What was it Galactic Silver Raven Guild!

Rory: I heard there was a place I could go and be free with you at my side.

I am Following you because you are my property.

Anne: I was told that I could be free also I didn't want to just conform to everyday society I wanted to be part of the new one.

So I am loyal to you, Following you for that reason.

Len: I just want to be an awesome blacksmith.

with my own shop and style.

You said I could have that for free dude.

I am your Pal till the end of time bruh!

Doug: Yeah, It wasn't like anyone else was going to share the same goal as us.

Until we found you haha looks like I was wrong.

Anthony: I know my opinion doesn't mean much but I assume everyone has their own agenda haha.

although for reverence we would all be in a different position if you hadn't used that creature voodoo with that ant.

which to be honest is a bit scary I mean it's right there...

Rory: meh you get used to That I guess.

He has hundreds of creatures that he could hatch.

I assume you still have them?

Rico: yeah...

Leon: So What is it you plan to do boy?

We all have our own wants and wishes, for now, We all want our own place to call ours.

So I ask once more I want an answer!

What is this squads Name, Leader!

Rico: That's Right.

FINE DAMN IT, Midnight Goblin Squad!

This time we failed, But next time we won't!

Leon: Midnight Goblin...

*With silence, no one answered.

it must have been Awkward For everyone else too..

I blushed.

It seems my resolve is being tested as I started to laugh.

What I want in the situation We are in it doesn't matter.

who is what or what squad is what we are a team.

I need to see us as such...*

Rico: Fine I will take the role of leader.

From here on out us, The Oddest Squad with a Name Fit for us!

The Midnight Goblins!

Mercenaries, Transporters, Royalty, and Most of all Family!

what do you say?...

Theo: haha I guess it fits us although the name is...

Rory: What is wrong with that Mint is a Goblin.

Anne: count on me to patch you all up, I do have medical knowledge.

zain: I am in, No problems here!

Kerry: you are my Big brother, and I have no other places to go...

Rico: Don't worry I won't abandon you ever!

But I won't promise to protect you, We will work to hold our own!

Doug: we all have an idea of things we want but it looks like we all agree on one thing.

Len: This is cool though technically we are conquering new land.

*With a small laugh everyone's tension lessened...

To be exact we all learned our lesson.

This was no half-assed mission anymore we all decided for a place of our own.

It will Prove challenging.

We will all find it together with us thirteen.*

Leon: it seems you lot have made up, Is your mind set?

Rico: I have To show resolve!

I am no longer Alone, something tells me that You knew that though...

Leon: You just needed a push, I assumed You would take longer Too hatch From that shallow pit.

Although I learned something today.

YOU ALL SUCK AT FIGHTING!

you all rest and in the morning Hell train, noon tomorrow, Hell training, And for dinner Hell training.

THERE WILL BE NO REST FOR YOU LOT!!

Nemo, I assume you already know the best situation.

Rico: Right I will have a plan drawn up and ready.

Leon: haha this is one of the Oddest squads.

I think you lot will persevere, or die trying.

HAHAHAHA!!!

Now take your asses to sleep!

*he was a bit harsh but it seems with his age came a certain calm or was it his skill...

he hasn't shown his true self but he means us no harm and has helped us out....

for now, it's focus time.

Survival is the only option!

Taking him up on his offer we rested up, For a while that is until he had to get moving. *

We will benefit From Leon, I can tell that much.

With The situation being so hectic I got time to talk to the ant again, I tried to make it my companion but kept failing it wasn't until the sixth try that I was informed the creature too strong.

I am unable to tame it un willingly as I already had a tamed creatur it was close to exceeding my souls capacity.

I would definitely have to figure this class out, I mean taming a creature couldn't Totally Be impossible.*