Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

AUTHOR NOTE

So, what is this one-shot? It's basically just an idea of mine that came during a dream when I fell asleep, back when i was writing Chapter 3 of Dilmun. 

Now that was before i started uploading the Dilmun fic itself, so now i have a chance to change my original plan and switched to other one.

I got quite conflicted between two ideas. I could make a “Alternate fate of Kur” that it currently happened or I could do a “Time travel fix it fic” which is this one

Both ideas are so great, i love it very much. An alternate fate of kur is awesome in idea, plus to honor and an appreciation fic to Termistae. BUT a time travel fix it fic is so cool and novel that for some reason no one ever tries to make it in Bug fables Fandom. Which baffles me because the concept sounded very good to be implemented on a fanfic. 

In the end, after long consideration, I picked the Alternate fate of Kur idea instead of the time travel one (AKA Dilmun born), because not only i like Kur so much, but i really like writing the fic as more tense, impactful, and darker with much more... 'flavor'

But as i keep writing Dilmun and uploading it, i can't stop to think about the time travel fic idea. The concept is just so dope and cool, I decided to finish it as an honor of a cool concept, to not let it dust in my draft forever. 

Though... i'm very sorry to say this, but.

I WILL NOT do more beyond this one shot. Like i said, it was one way for me to honor this cool idea of a time travel fix-it that somehow no one does like what? If anyone did want to do their own spin of it or continue what was already written, I would greatly love to read it. Plus I'm fine if anyone took ideas, or inspiration from this one shot just as I took inspiration from the original Kur to make Dilmun

So happy reading!!

(And ps: Termistae, yes I still credit you because this is still technically an alteration of Kur, just… ya know, the rejected idea)

Chapter Text

Team Snakemouth was unquestionably losing this fight, the power of the Everlasting Sapling was simply too strong.

The Wasp King, seeing the nearly downed Vi and Leif, and the wounded Kabbu, laughed heartily, all while chompy was already out. 

“So… This is supposedly the best not only The Ant Kingdom, but all Bugaria has to offer? You’re almost not worth slaying.”

Kabbu then looked around the area, seeing almost every member of the explorer’s association, queen elizant, and a few ant soldiers, all scattered about and gravely wounded, from a single one of his fire spells, even if they had the flame brooch, it was truly hopeless from the start.

He is losing a good amount of blood from the axe wounds, Vi’s barely an adult, and she would soon die because he helped her be able to explore. In fact, them exploring was the reason The Wasp King even had the artifacts in the first place, despite all they’ve done to help others, it would have been better for Bugaria they never became explorers, and the artifacts remained lost, but it is too late now, way too late to rewind the time. 

“Look what I have here…” The Wasp King then hovered towards him, snatched the flame brooch, dangling it in front of his face before crushing it into bits in front of him. “Too bad, a good amulet wasted on nothing” he cackled.

“N-no… no!” Kabbu yelled in despair. Their only source of defense, chance, and hope… gone just like that. 

“W-what do we… ughh” Vi fell on her knees again, coughing blood on her palm “What do we do?” she said wheezing for air “He's… he's too powerful” 

“We…. We don't know…” And Leif who usually looks stoic, now looks in distress, holding his stomach. “We lost…. It's over, we can't win against him” 

“No! It's not! It can't be over! Not like…” Kabbu said with such willpower, he stood up while his body was shaking “We’ll win! We have to… for bugkind, for all Bugaria, for a bright future, we can't lose! We have to defeat this vile Usurper!” 

It just made The Wasp King laugh. With a swipe of his hand, a rough shockwave thrashed team snakemouth, sending them tumbling. “What a feeble, hopeless determination you three have. I would prefer leaving you three to die here, I won't bore myself by cutting your head…but….. now” he raised his axe, levitating close to Kabbu, his eyes flared somewhere slightly before back at Kabbu “Looks like killing you would be better!” 

But before The usurper was about to throw his weapon at Kabbu, behind them… behind the blaring fight, behind the whole battle is the burning everlasting sapling tree. It was lit with fire, almost burned to crisp, flames eating it like a hungry rat. 

But when the last remaining leaf fell to the ground, the last burning leaf fell down, a light began to shine from it. 

It grows brighter, brighter, and more brighter, even brighter than the shining sun. The fight halted as all four of them noticed the lights blinding them, making them cover their entire faces as everything around them went bright white. 

“Hmmm… so that's what happened”

“Haah… well there goes my supply of energy, I swear… Why would my sister gladly give that artifact, knowing the end result?”

“Ah whatever, I love his speeches, soo invigorating, so inspiring…”

“What did my sister say before we parted ways?” 

“Ah right! She wanted to be a true goddess for Bugaria, well… heh… looks like she failed”

“This bug is going to win over these three, the power of the sapling is nigh overpowered. I'm 99% positive that the mainland would be enslaved by him”

“Seriously… She's the oldest and I HAVE to do most of the work. Well she’ll definitely won ‘worst sibling of the centuries’”

“Ah! What am I doing? Oh, right. Uhhh, well good luck bugs! Don't know if you three could remember or hear me after this but uhh, hopefully you three could do something so no one would interrupt my meditation. So bye!”

Whites began to fill their eyes, 

Then….

It all….

Falls……

To…..

Nothing…..

As if…..

Someone…..

Turn off the light…..

…….

……..

  ……..

“Ahh, the land of Bugaria. A peaceful, prosperous place where many adventurous bugs gather.

Although, it wasn't always that way...

Lured by the promise of riches and lush fields, a young Queen visited these lands many moons ago. Together with her daughters and fellow ant servants, she established Bugaria's modest first settlement.

Her people were happy, the Ant Kingdom flourished... And yet, the Queen's dream had still not been fulfilled. For she had heard of an ancient people, who safeguarded a treasure of unbelievable power. It was none other than...

The Everlasting Sapling! A plant which would grant unending youth and strength to any who ate even one of its leaves!

She searched, and searched...and searched...

Alas, she never found it. She entrusted her dream to the princess, before falling into a hard-earned sleep.

Determined to succeed where her mother did not, the new Queen rallied the people together under her cause. Opening the doors of the kingdom to bugs of all shapes and kinds, she attracted ambitious and skilled adventurers!

Her decree was loud and clear: ‘Find me the Everlasting Sapling, and you shall know wealth like no other bug ever has!’

With this, The ExplorersAssociation was founded, with its many members searching across the kingdom for clues and treasure. Even though to this day, the sapling has not been found. But every bug dreams of one day claiming it for themselves…

Or at least, those were the stories I was told in my land

Despite many unfortunate incidents, tales of your people helped me keep my adventuring spirit alive”

“Rest assured, Kabbu. They are not mere legends, but real history… This Explorers' Association, and all the explorers who risk their wings for glory, are proof of that”

“......” Then something snaps inside Kabbu. 

“I respect your passion. But I take missions of the highest danger. An unproven warrior is not fit to accompany my team”

Kabbu felt a small headache and he realized something “Unproven? Team? Huh?! What?!” He looks around the place… isn't this? Wait what?! He held his head “Wait… Maki? Huh? We're in… how could-” 

“Uhhh you alright, young bug?” Maki tilted his head, the mantis confused at the bug sudden change of manners. “Did something happen to your head?” 

“No… I…” Kabbu blinked around the area “Weren't we in the…. How did we get here?”

“Kabbu, are you seriously alright?” Maki leaned in, there's worry in his tone “You walk in and come to me because you want to be an explorer. We talked around and I asked you about what you know about the history of The Everlasting Sapling…”

“This… this is when…” Kabbu muttered quietly to himself “But didn't we fight the usurper before? What happened? Didn't Maki get knocked cold? Wasn't this a few moons ago?” Low enough for the mantis not to hear.

“....Or so you say” Maki continued, keeping a look at the beetle “Your knowledge of our culture, and your passion for exploring are as true as my blade's edge, Kabbu”

“Wait… no, didn't i-” Kabbu was about to speak up even more

Though he was interrupted by Maki “But, I would ask you to not press the issue, this is not the place to cause a scene”

“What?!” Kabbu shook his head “Wait, Maki… I… look, something is terribly-”

“I said…. This is no place to cause a scene, though are your condition alright, beetle? Or should I ask Gen an Eri to check on you?”

“N-no… no I'm fine, I just had a small headache. But what I mean to say is-”

“Then I would have to remind you again, this is not the place to cause a scene”

Kabbu was about to speak up more “Nnghh” but he realized that what he might say might land him in a mental health check procedure, wondering if he had gone crazy or insane. 

“Hey!” A loud high pitched yell came from the entrance, someone's been watching. “He wants… he wants a team member, yes?” Then they walked in… 

Kabbu can see that same uncomfortable and unnerving look from that bug

“Ummm excuse me, but…” Eetl walked to the approaching but “We cannot allow children to explore! Much less Snakemouth Den”

“What did you just….” Vi paused, rubbing between her eyes… she sighed “Stop calling me a kid… have we not proved you enough? What more did you need to ask, Eetl?!”

“I’m sorry, but have we met before?! You coming here, and obnoxiously yelled into the room is enough to prove otherwise”

“What?!” And Kabbu can see her confused look, just like his. But even more baffled “Do you hit your head or something?!!”

Maki shook his head and walked to the two bugs “Eetl, that's enough,  bee, lower your voices! What is the matter here?”

“Ooh! Maki! He's getting ready to serve justice!”

“No, he's just gonna cause a scene again. Like always.”

Kabbu heard Gen’s and Eri’s conversation… it all felt similar to him. And the way Maki talked to him, and Vi's and Eetl’s bickering together. He shook his head in confusion, he immediately went around his pouch and pocket… and there's no explorer's permit badge he always has. 

So then…. This is when He and Vi first teamed up… but… wait, how did that possibly? They're moons and moons away from this moment. How did they suddenly relieve the same thing? Is this one of The usurper’s tricks on him?

“Eetl’s calling me a kid! says I can't explore! I can explore very much!!”

“Shouting isn't going to change the rules, you child! And I never knew you!!” Eetl yelled back 

“What?! How could you never-”

“Silence, please.” Maki smacks the bottom of his sword on the woody ground. “This guild of ours is no place for petty squabbles.”

“Look.” Eetl took a small breath to not yell even more “I can't just give a permit to some bee. Much less without a partner. Teams should bebe a-”

“Duo of explorers? Yes I know” she rolled her eyes “That's why he's here!” Vi pointed at the scarab beetle “Kabbu, come on!” 

“O-oh of course, of course!” He ran up to her side. 

“Hmm? You two knew each other?” Maki asked… 

But Vi just ignored the Royal’s blade “You have the badge right? Show them”

“Badge? No I don't have it” Kabbu shook his head “We never have it during this time”

“What?! But how?! You always-”

“Ahem!” Maki forcefully coughed in front of the two bugs “The explorer's permit badge can only be given to those who have proven themselves to me… 

“You are both, most likely, mere novices, ruled by your strong emotions…” He then sighed “I have no doubt that if you left today, you would return inside a bag”

“Bag? Sir Maki” Kabbu tried to say something to him… this is just… this is just confusing “We would definitely not be coming in a body bag. We… never did, I mean… Snakemouth den is there”

“Wait, what?” Eetle sounds baffled “You two are just crazy! You won't last a second at Snakemouth!”

“Last a second? We already proved you wrong!” Vi exclaimed, and the bee was even more confused than the beetle. 

“Umm sir Maki” Kabbu tried to make sense of everything, and not talk like they're two schizo, wrong in the head bug “I know you still outranks me in spades, but… uhhh well…” he tried to remember what he said to the mantis “You shouldn't underestimate us, I mean… I went a lot to get here”

“Hmmm. Very well, shall I test both of you resolve?” Maki said sternly at them. 

“Test us? Didn't we-” 

“Vi” He grabbed her shoulder “Let's just prove him and move on… just follow along with everything and we'll talk after this”

She grumbled, taking out her trusty beemerang “This is ridiculous… let's show him what's up!”

Eetl walked away, mumbling “Not again….” while Gen and Eri giggled to themselves as they both gave the three bugs a little room, while Artis just gave a small glance before returning to his paper.

“Alright then…” He raised his sword to his shoulder “Come at me…”

Both bugs stared at each other. They don't have to verbally speak to each other to understand the same confusion they both have. They knew this moment, they knew this part…. So then…

“Ahem! I don't have much time here!” Maki reminds them, still at his stance. 

Both bugs nodded at each other, well why not get this over with? 

Kabbu went to his stance before, out of nowhere, he charged at the Royal's blade. 

Maki wasn't expecting such a sudden attack and he put his sword to the front, blocking the rush from the beetle. He got thrown back a little but before he could recover his posture, a beemerang flew to his face. 

It was enough to get him dazed a bit, but he quickly dodge when Kabbu swings his horn at him. He swung his sword down at Kabbu but he jumped back. 

And at the same time, Vi run behind him and use his shoulder as a ramp, jumping to the air as the beemerang turned into two small needles. She swings at him while flying.

Maki cannot comprehend the aggressiveness of the two novices, he could faintly see Kabbu preparing to ram him again. It's perfect, he was too distracted at the Bee and the beetle could land a blow. 

He has to stop this before it turns into an actual fight, and potentially wreck the entire association building “That's enough!!” 

“Kabbu, stop!” Vi yelled. 

Kabbu, who was unfortunately mid ramming, tried to stop but ended up tripping on his own legs and rolled on the ground, crashing on the wall. The place tremors as it happens, making Artis cursed, he just stamped the wrong paper thanks to that. 

While Eetl, and the two ants watched with mouth agape, didn't expect the two novice bugs to make Maki, the Royal blade to be overwhelmed, even sweating and panting.

“Kabbu!” Vi landed and ran to the staggered beetle. “You okay?” 

“I'm… ugh” He let Vi helped him sit down “I'm okay… just… ugh” 

“..... You pass, you two pass…” Maki still panted, leaning on his sword. He said it more in a surprised, shocked tone than his usual stern one. “I… uhhh..” Even hesitated for a moment “You two performed well enough, no you two performed with flying colors. I could not only feel your desire to see the world through your attacks, but the teamworks, the strategy, and the sheer power…

He wiped his brow, straightening himself “I am no one to keep you from your Explorer Permit. Looks like my view of you two was wrong. Eetl, you may grant it to them.

“......”

“Eetl!” Maki exclaimed 

“A-ah! Of course!” His sense returned and he walked to the two bugs. “Here, you two definitely deserved to have it”

Kabbu stood up, and took the explorer's permit badge “Yeah yeah…” He didn't have any comments. “Er… we did it, I guess?”

“Ah finally” Vi said with relief, rolling her eyes at Eetle “The badge”

Kabbu felt like they both might have gone too far with Maki, while Vi was glad that everyone finally shut up about her age and looks! 

“Snakemouth Den, it lies to the west of the association. A simple path, although filled with danger. There is much treasure to be found, but its jaws have claimed many”

Then, before Vi and Kabbu could say anything.

“MAKI!!!” Ah… they both remembered Kina. “Seriously, brother! How long are you going to keep me waiting!?”

“My apologies, Kina” He nodded at his sister “Vi, Kabbu, I must be going now. As you can see, duty calls me. May you succeed in your mission. Though…” He paused for a bit “I'm pretty sure you two are going to” 

Then the siblings left, then the awkwardness began to seep in, aka the stares from everyone. Alright they were definitely gone too far with what they've shown. 

“Soo uhh, let's go I guess?” 

“Ummm, yeah” Vi nodded 

“Hey, wait you two!”, Before they were about to leave “You know what the goal of the Snakemouth expe-”

“Eetl! We know” Vi cuts him off “Ancient artifact, bla bla bla, inside snakemouth den”

“Well yes, and-”

“Many tried, no one ever found it. Bla bla bla, Most never came back. Yeah… we know!” Vi cuts him off again. 

“We… uhhh, we'll find it. Don't worry” Kabbu said to the blue beetle who was still baffled at what he saw. 

“Yeah! We're on the case, after all!” The bee said with hands on her hips. 

“I… would be worried about that but… I don't think I have to” Eetle paused, feeling awkward at his own words moments ago “And I'm sorry for calling you a child”

“See? Told you so, Eetl” Vi giggled at herself.

Eetl rolled his eyes “You can be sassy at me if you want, but I was just worrying about you”

“I know, I know…” Vi answered “Look, I understand exploring isn't a game where many have been lost while searching for treasure. But we're not going to be one of those. I promise”

“And…” Kabbu spoke up “At least Maki thinks we're decent… right?”

“Uhhhh I think more than that. I guess his intuition is perfectly accurate… well later” Eetl walked back to his post near the quest board

“Apology accepted though” Vi waved at Eetl. 

Chapter 1: A Dysfunctional Time of the Trio 

(Note: This is NOT the chapter name. I'm just following the game’s plotline.  This is just the game's chapter title) 

The two bugs went to Artis when they were being called to him “Phew... Finally done. Sometimes work just doesn't stop coming!” 

“Hey uhh, Artis… we're sorry if my crash disturbs you?” Kabbu said, rubbing his back 

“You two certainly did, look at what you did” He raised a messy paper “But let's ignore that, you two faced Maki, eh? Bet ya found it a tad too easy?”

“..... Yeah” Kabbu quietly say “Guess we did”

“Heh. I see you lot are strong” Artis cackled “Really strong perhaps! One sec, I have this one thing... Please take it” 

“Oh! This medal!” Vi snatched it immediately 

“You two will get bored if you two show that kind of strength to anyone else, no challenges. It should make things more interesting for ya. The higher the risk, the higher the reward, as they say. And If you defeat any powerful enemies while wearing it, come see me, alright?”

“Y-yeah yeah… Take care Artis” Kabbu said to him. 

“Safe exploring, folks. Remember to check in every now and then”

Vi put away the medal, and both bugs decided it would be appropriate to just head out to the exit. 

“I'm… surprised” But of course there's Zasp in the way “Not many stand Maki's blade, some fail, but you two genuinely cornered him. I never saw him genuinely feel like he was on the edge, but you two did… I didn't know if I should be impressed or scared. Anyone who belongs to this association can say at least that much”

“Why yes of course!” Vi couldn't help but to boast at this fact. “We showed him whose boss, Zasp”

“Just… one small tip. Don't let pride take you over, it'll drag both of you down one day to a wrong path… or make bugs go away with how self absorbed it could be. Trust me, pride blinds all”

“What? Jealous?”

“Vi….” Kabbu tapped her shoulder again. She's no longer the same childish bee, but looks like she got agitated by her own confusion, and her way to cope is being… uhh. Her old self “Come on”

Both of them leave the association building. They could faintly hear small chatters from Gen and Eri 

"Oh, Eri, why must Maki be so dreamy?”

“Have you gone mad, Gen!? He's so arrogant! And those two bugs showed him what's up”

Outside, both are greeted by Celia and Levi hitting the crystal with that familiar bell sound. They jumped down the flower stairs to greet them. 

“Hey Levi, Hey Celia” Kabbu greeted them “You two are… saving right?”

“Mmhhmm. Say, since you're an outsider, you know what these crystals do?” Levi asked him. 

“I mean… yeah” They both knew TOO well of the crystals “An ancient crystal, unique to this land… hit it and it'll record our progress”

“And…” Vi added “The yellow one heal our wounds”

“Though I'll doubt you two need healing” Celia asked, looking up and down at them “I never knew Maki could be roughed like that”

“Same…. You two really pressured him” 

“Yeah yeah just uhh…” Kabbu needs to get away, both him and Vi “can we save our progress, please?” 

“Ah, be our guest” They both walked out of the way for them. 

But when Kabbu hits it…. Nothing, no bell sound, just silence. It was unusual.

“Huh… that was weird, here let me” Vi hit it with her beemerang, still no bell sound “Is the crystal broken or something?”

“Hold on…” Levi hit the crystal, and a bell sound was produced “... No it works just fine”

“Then how it… ugh nevermind then” Kabbu shook his head “Let’s just get a move on, Vi”

“Best of luck, you two”  And team Celia sends them away. 

***

After getting far enough in the outskirts, they could finally freak out. 

“Okay, okay! Just what in Venus' name is going on here?!” Kabbu was the first to freak out. 

“I don't know?!!” Followed by Vi “Why are we here?!! I thought we're in the  Giant's lair! Haven't we become an explorer already?!! Why is Maki testing us again?!!” 

“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!!!”

“AHHH!!”

“AHH!!”

It took them quite a few minutes to cool them, at the very least… no one saw them being weird right there. They let out their pent up confusion with full gladness. 

“Vi… look” He holds her shoulders “Let's just… let's just sit down and think this through. I think… that's enough screaming already” 

“o-okay, okay” 

Both bugs sat down, even huddled up together like magnets. Everything is just so off, they couldn't trust anything they see, or they feel. 

“.... Kabbu” She raised and hugged her knees. All those fears, all those coping, now she felt vulnerable “I'm scared…”

He sighed “Me too… So let's rewind our heads a bit. Last time we're in Giant's lair, right?”

“Mmhhmm” She nodded “We almost beat The Wasp King, but he pulled a cheap trick on us and threw us off with a bomb”

“Then…” Kabbu continued “He quickly opened the container with The Everlasting Sapling inside, he ate it… we all fought and… and…. Oh….” He felt his body shudder a bit “We’re losing… badly, we're all wounded and he was about to throw an axe to my face”

“.... I was about to jump in front of you” Vi mumbled, looking away. 

“What?!” He sounded surprised but he wasn't too loud, just a small shock “Vi… why?” 

“You’re going to die, Kabbu… you're going to die when he throws that axe” Vi said, with a worry in her voice  “I have to step in but…” She paused, clicking her mouth. This is no time to be sad “Look! It's no longer important, okay?!  What happened next is…. Something bright blinds us, I guess?”

“Yeah, I think those blinding lights come from the burning sapling, I guess? it's so bright I can't see anything in front of my eyes” The beetle quietly explained “Maybe this is a trick from The Wasp King?”

“No” But Vi confidently said “I remember his face, he's just as confused as us… then… Uhhhh when the light is gone… we're here. I'm outside the association building and you…”

“I was talking to Maki about The Sapling. Vi… I think…” It may sound stupid from what will come out of him but he has to say it “I think we're back in time” 

“I know that! But… how? How could blinding lights send us here?! It's… impossible”

“If it came from The Everlasting Sapling, nothing is truly impossible” 

“Can't…” She sighed “Can't exactly deny that… so now what? We should ask Lei- OH SNAP!” She stood up “Where's Leif?!!”

“Vi… calm down” Kabbu stood up too “We know where to find him” nudging in the direction of the Den. “The usual. As for Chompy.. uhhh, she hasn't born yet”

“Right right… phew, almost forgot. I… I hope he still remember himself, and us” The bee's wings fluttered as she straightened herself 

“If we did then he will, come on” 

Both bugs decided to walk to The snakemouth den, again. It was a fairly simple and relaxed walk, simply because the seedlings here no longer prove to be a challenge anymore unlike their first time. Walk and jump they go, towards the place that started it all. 

“Oh hey, that's Chuck” Vi said, pointing at someone “Let's greet him”

“Wait!” But Kabbu stopped her “Just remember Vi, we ‘didn’t know’ anyone right now” They couldn't catch any more eyes and suspicion after what they showed to Maki “So let's just pretend from now on that we haven't met anyone. We can't have any more bugs suspicious of our… extensive experience, and I doubt that they'll believe if we told them about the whole went back in time thing”

“Hmm alright” She then cleared her throat “Hi, my name is Vi, a bee that is worth four bees, what's your name, fellow beetle?” 

“.......” He stared at her with a disbelieving look “Really?”

She giggled “just kidding. Let's help him like usual”

They both approached Chuck having trouble with a weed. 

“Hello there!” Vi greeted him “Is there something we can help an old bug in distress with?”

“First of all, name's Chuck” Yep, still the same conversation”And I bet I'm younger than both of ya! But if you've gotta know…” He patted the annoying weed “I'm almost done arranging my cozy rest space for travelers going to Snakemouth Den. I just can't pull out this darn weed!”

“Well” Kabbu stepped forward, his cue “I think I could-”

“Wait!” But Vi was already in front of the weed “Let me try this time”,

“Oh?” The beetle cocked his head to the side, interested to see “Be my guest”

“Watch this” Vi brushes her hands together, she takes out her beemerang, splits it in half and trimmed the weed off. “And then if I just…” She grabbed it with her hands and began pulling with her entire force. Her wings buzzed as she groaned, her mouth gritted. 

They heard roots breaking apart as Vi was sent jolting on her back with the weed pulled from the ground “Yep…” She brushes her hands standing up “Phew… I did it”

“Uhhh… you know it could be easier if I just…” Kabbu signalled his horn 

“I know, just wanting to see if I still have it in me” She giggled again. 

“I'll be!” Chuck could only stare in amazement “You actually managed to do that. This made my week! I thought judging by your look, you were just a weak, naive, child bee” He shook his head, amused “Youngster these days…” 

“I'M….” Vi was about to object like she always did. But she stopped, remembering that everything she did hasn't happened yet. She huffed “Yeah… got that a lot”

“Well i got something for helping me, and making me impressed” 

“Wait chuck, you don't have to. Helping others is already its own reward”

Vi just smiled, still the same conversation nonetheless “What he said”

“Hohohoh. No worries. Helpful bugs deserve gratitude!” He took out a few berries from his pocket “I ain't got much, but please take this” and handed it to the bee. “Use 'em to buy something nice later, alright?”

“Thank you, we surely will” Kabbu said in defeat, not even he could stop him from giving them berries “We'll be going now”

“Good luck, ye two!” He waved at them.

Both bugs continued walking until they reached the front maw of the snakemouth den. “Honestly…” Vi comments “After the deadlanders of the Giant's lair, this doesn't look remotely menacing anymore”

“True” Kabbu walked up to the crystals and hit it hard. No bell ringing, it really disturbs him for some reason, like a scary premonition “I don't understand… Why didn't it want to record our progress? I have a terribly feeling about this” It was so... abnormal to him

“Could it be because we're a time anomaly?” Vi come up with a possible explanation “We did got sent back in time”

“Ugh… still” He turned around at her “Hey… Vi, how about this time we didn't find the artifact?”

Her eyes widened “Huh? Why?” 

“What do you mean why? You know what happened?!” Kabbu exclaimed, rubbing his hands in discomfort “You know what will end up if we found it, The Sapling IS real, we almost die, you almost have to sacrifice yourself for me” He said, his voice shaken “All of this started because WE found the artifact in snakemouth”

“B-but…” She can't deny him, and yet… “What about team snakemouth? What about being an explorer? What about your promise to your master and friend? What if… what if Maki suddenly decided to revoke our status if we came back empty handed?”

“.....” Kabbu doesn't say anything. 

“Kabbu…” Vi truly understands what Kabbu is trying to say. Imagine if The usurper won, imagine if they weren't lucky enough to get sent back here… She truly understands “Let's just go and find Leif first, we'll talk this with him too okay?”

“Alright…”

TO BE CONTINUED

Chapter Text

Both bugs entered the den inside, still the same as ever. “You know what you said last time… Snakemouth Den is quite dangerous, but this room's quite cozy” Vi tried to lighten the mood down. 

“I…uhhhh i jinxed it, didn't I?” 

“Maybe, but if you didn't… we won't be in this situation” 

They both easily walked through the den, barely pulling any sweats or punches with how easily they handled the creatures inside. Finally they reached the door room and did the puzzle like usual. 

A mushroom falls to the ground, sitting there waiting to be picked up.

“Oh look, a totally inconspicuous mushroom! Hey Kabbu, how about you check it?” Vi smirked, hiding her laugh. 

“Haha… very funny” Kabbu said sarcastically “I'm not falling for that again, quite literally”

“Okay okay” Vi simply walks to the mushroom “Well hello there little mushroom, promise me you won't drop me” She picked it up. “Any second now…”

Then…. Nothing, there's no tremor, there's no ground being opened, everything is still the same.

“Ahem… I picked the mushroom here!” She stomped her feet to the ground, twice. “Drop me to the ground, stupid room” Still nothing. Then finally a small tremor “Ah there it is-” Her eyes suddenly widened “KABBU BEHIND YOU!!” 

“Behind me? What's behind- oh my goodness!!” Kabbu immediately jumped to the side, so did vi. 

A large boulder suddenly rolls into the room, crashing into the left wall. It didn't stop, the boulder kept rolling and tearing through the walling.. Both bugs watched in shock as the boulder disappeared.

“What… what the heck was that?!” Kabbu brushed his own chest, surprised “That should never have happened! When did a boulder suddenly roll on us…” 

“Y-yeah…” The bee gulped “Phew, It almost turned us into pancakes… Now how do we get there?” 

“Hmmm, maybe we could-” And just like that, the ground split apart, what's unfortunate is Kabbu also under it after having to dodge the rolling boulder “IYAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

“Kabbu, hold on!” Vi came to the rescue, catching him before he fell…”Gotcha!” she huffed, her wings flapped and buzzed with a high pitched noise, slowing his fall as they descended to the room below.

 They both landed safely this time “That…. Was close” 

“Yeah…” Vi wipes her sweat. “Damn, you're heavy. Let’s press forward, Leif should be here” 

It didn't take long before they saw that large web, and a blue moth there, being tied by the web. “Leif!” both of them exclaim at the same time.

“Zzz” And still sleeping he was. “Five more… minutes……” sleep talking too.

“Alright” Vi immediately knew the cue, she took out her beemerang I'll just let the beemerang cut him down and we'll-” 

Then the spider falls, roaring at them. Kabbu went to his stance. “Before that… the spider first. Sooo, wanna do the usual save him and skedaddle away?” 

“Are you kidding?” Vi raised an eyebrow “That pincher deadlander is worse than this. Let's beat it ourselves, no need to bail” she grinned. “We're stronger this time”

“Heh, right on” Kabbu said

He burrows himself to the ground as Vi attacks its face. It roars, and spits webs at her. She narrowly dodged its attack, but before it could try to stab her with its legs, Kabbu was ramming the creature’s legs from behind, making it tripped on its back. 

Vi immediately nodded, aiming her beemerang at the stalactite hanging. It fell and hit the spider on its stomach. 

It roared, immediately flipping around and viciously attempting to swat them. Vi flies back while Kabbu burrows himself again. 

The spider then attaches a web to the wall and tries spitting sticky webs at the flying bee while hanging in the air “Woah! Kabbu, a little help here”

“On it!” Kabbu shoots himself up in the air “Aha!” He grabbed himself on the spider's back. It roared in panic and tried to shake Kabbu away, making him hang on to the arachnid 

But Vi immediately flew and slashes her split beemerang at the web, making the spider fall. And before it could recover, Kabbu raised both of his hands and smacked it at its head and finally stopped resisting. 

“Woohoo!” Vi landed on the ground, putting her beemerang back “Oh yeah, there's nothing we couldn't beat”

“Heh… yep” Kabbu jumps off from the creature and goes to Vi’s side with a high five together. Both having a short victory laugh, and this time without raising their hand to the air for… reason they didn't knew why, they just did that for few seconds every time.

Obviously… They aren't the same bugs a few moons ago. They are strong, they have faced many adversaries and foes along their journey. They're experienced, much stronger in combat, and expert in taking down their enemies. Time might send them back, but the memories and their prowess is different than during the start of their journey. 

They heard groans as the spider slowly opened its many eyes, and wobbly stood on its eight legs. “Vi, wait… I think they finally understand their place now” Kabbu put his hand to the side as the spider look shaken standing. It stared at them for a bit, and turned around… running away in an instant 

“Yeah that's right!” Vi waves her beemerang “Run away!! We won this time!” 

Kabbu sighed in relief “Come on, let's put him down” turning at the sleeping moth.

Three strikes from the beemerang was enough to drop the blue moth to ground, Kabbu immediately ripped away the web holding him. 

“Leif… Leif, hey wakes up” Kabbu shakes his head. 

“Hold on… what if i…” Vi slaps him, making the moth groan “Always works…”

“That's… that's just rude, Vi” Kabbu shakes his head. 

“It works though” she shrugged “See?”

“U-ughhh” Leif blinked a few times, opening his eyes. “Mjaj? Ajeukx, yrdiuf. ...Ghsiaoenbx?”

“Umm Leif, you remembered us?” Kabbu asked, helping him sit down.

“Jsgsn. Sjaika? Hsjaosidjs…?” Leif continued to mutter strange words. 

“It’s me… Vi and Kabbu” She said, also kneeling beside him. “Or… did you forget to speak Bugnish anymore?” 

“N-no. We can still… speak Bugnish” He shakes his head, staring at the two of them, each. Thankfully, he still remembers “Vi, Kabbu… What happened? Did we win? Where…” He looked around, still rubbing his ached head “Where were we? Snakemouth? Did we lose and The Usurper sent us here to die?”

Both bugs stared at each other “It's… hard to make sense, Leif. But we just saved you from the spider's web” 

“What?!” He looked confused despite his stoic look “Didn't that…” he turned around at the spider web they just saved him “How is that possible?”

“Just… let us explain everything”

…….

……

“And yeah… that's basically what happened to us” The bee concluded their short explanation.

The three of them sat together under the spider's web as Vi and Kabbu explained their theories. 

“So all of us went…. Back… in time? That's almost hard to believe…” Leif has a hard time processing everything “Did… did anyone else remember?”

“No… I think it's just me, Vi, and you” Kabbu said. “Maki doesn't remember, Zasp doesn't remember. I think it's just us”

“No” But Leif shook his head “And him….”

“Him? The usurper?” Vi asked “Come on, there's no way he would-”

“No, Vi… he would, he's also affected by those lights emitting from the burned sapling. If all of us are affected, then so did him” Leif said confidently in his assessment. “There's no possibly he wouldn't remember. He was there with us”

“Curses… then we have to hide the artifact somewhere even more discreet”

Leif was surprised by the beetle sudden words. “Hmm? What are you talking about, Kabbu? Hiding the artifact?” 

“Oh yeah… that” Vi huffed “Alright then, let's talk about it now, the team is here, Kabbu”

Kabbu sighed, preparing himself “Look! You two…” The beetle put his hands forward “I'm planning… that we didn't find the artifacts this time… what I mean is, we go there, we take that artifact, and hide it forever instead of giving it to the queen”

“Oh…. That's just unfortunate…” Leif said in a flat voice. His comment is just short “Why, Kabbu? It's all of our goal isn't it?”

“I'm just… I'm just worried, okay?” He was desperate, he's scared… “Everything happened because we gave the artifacts to the queen, because we found the artifacts in the first place, it's all because of us. You two, we would all be DEAD if it weren't for fhis sudden blessing on  our side. I don't know if we could have another chance after this, and I'm worried”

“.....”

“I'm worried- no no, I'm terrified okay?! I'm not scared if I had die… but I'm terrified if something bad happens to the both of you” His body trembles as he kept saying “I don't want you two to die! You two are the only family I have left, and the last thing I want is for my family to die on me again! So please… don't die on me, so please…. Consider my plan” 

Leif and Vi stared at each other with  Kabbu's face darkened looking down. It's not the matter if he has moved on from the death of his master and friend, he has accepted the past, but that doesn't mean he fears the future. They all could remember the despair when facing The Wasp King with that… ethereal form of his, the desperation as they were overwhelmed and overpowered by his everlasting strength.

They all thought that they will die that day… that they will fail to save Bugaria.

Kabbu gazed at the bee“Vi…. I understand that finding the artifacts is your way to prove to The hive that you could be something more…” then at the blue moth “Leif… I understand that finding the artifacts is your way to find who you truly are, that no matter if you're the moth or the cordyceps… you're still Leif” He held his hands in front of his chest “I know… I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm not saying we should stop being explorers, I'm not saying we should stop being Team Snakemouth.. so please” He then closed his eyes “For the future of Bugaria sake, and… Our sake, my sake… please reconsider… I beg both of you”

It left Kabbu panting as he concluded his wish. He did all that in one singular breath. Only his breathing is what was left, and silence was the only thing he heard from his closed eyes. Was he selfish? Maybe, but all he could think about is his newfound family… he wanted to do this for their sake too. 

Sacrificing their goal is a huge thing he asked from them, but after everything they've been through….

“Well… ahem, uhhh” Vi spoke out first “To be fair… Even though Team Snakemouth was born from our achievement in getting the artifact, I'm sure… it could be possible in any other ways, right?”

Kabbu slowly opened his eyes. 

“Hmmn you're right…” Leif nodded with a small smile “Whether or not we became explorers or not, as long as we're all sticking together till the end is already perfect for us… Plus, we believed that there's more to explore than just the ancient artifacts and the sapling. Hmm we wonder what it could be...”

“Oh!” Vi's antenna perks up “How about we all go on sea one day and find a buried treasure chest?! Voyage across the seven seas, hahaha. That would be fun!”

“Or… we could be bounty hunters” Leif added “Catching evildoers, freezing them on ice and sending them to jail, we get paid a hefty berries, and became popular”

“Or…” Kabbu looked up at them, adding too with a low voice “After we fully explore all Bugaria had to offer for us, we all could… go to another land, maybe the east. We could explored its land and its mysteries like Bugaria did. Maybe… we could still be explorers and find ancient artifacts… only in different places”

“That seems like a good” 

“We agree”

“Vi… Leif… I” Kabbu's eyes getting slightly teary as he tackled them with a heartfelt group hug “Thank you so much…. Thank you, thank you…. I don't know what to say but thank you… for everything”

In the end, the artifacts didn't create Team Snakemouth, it was born from their journey, their friendship, their teamwork, their familyhood is what made Team Snakemouth. So what if they never find the artifact? There's more to life, there's more to being an explorer. It doesn't magically mean that Team Snakemouth never existed.

“So… Let's do it then?” Leif asked. “Let's end the artifact hunt?”

“Yep! Let's make sure no one finds the artifact anymore” Vi nodded, determined. “I’ll prove to The hive and Jaune in some other ways”

Kabbu couldn't help but to melt at their agreement “I…. Can't thank you enough for everything, I really am thankful and blessed to have both of you as my family” He said sincerely to him. “Our sacrifice won't go to waste”

After a long hugging session. The trio is now standing up, preparing themselves for another exploring to find the artifact, not to be given to The ant queen but to be destroyed forever. 

“Leif wait… is your power still there?” Kabbu asked before they all moved on.

“Hmmm, let us check…” 

Leif swipes his hand to the right, an ice aura shows in front of him, he immediately swipes his hand down, an ice shard forms and falls to the ground, he immediately swipes his hand up, an ice spike shoots up, and lastly, he spread both of his arms around and shield bubble pops out “Mmhhmm, still there” 

“Alright, let's go team!” 

Team Snakemouth tread back through the den. There's a sense of nostalgia as they traverse through, beating creatures, Leif making ice blocks for them to jump on, Kabbu pushing the ice with his horn, and Vi taking items using her beemerang or to hit switches. It gave them a sense of purpose, a new view on things that it is truly about their adventures that matters, by just exploring new places, new caves, or a new dungeon, beating foes together and smashing their heads together to solve a puzzle. 

It is what made Team Snakemouth a family… and they won't be bored to keep reminding themselves that no matter how much and for how long. Not even death will do them apart.

Then they finally arrived at the fated Treasure room. 

“Here it is! The treasure room!” Vi exclaimed, walking inside.

Kabbu pointed it out “And the mask is right there” 

When they got closer Leif obviously react to it 

“Sueska? Mijrelf ytrik…” He held his head as the voice just came out “Yep… a very potent magic” but he quickly shook it all away “So how should we do it? Smash it with rocks?” 

“Uhhh” Kabbu carefully tapped the mask and not lifting it “I don't think this artifact would be easily break”

“Oh! I know!” Vi raised her hand “We put it in a pouch with heavy rocks and drowned it in the sea”

“Yeah, that could work…” Kabbu prepared himself to take the artifact “Is the spider here though?” 

“Hmm” Vi looked around 

“Hmmm nope” And Leif affirmed it. “But we all could immediately dispatch it in seconds now, and run the heck away”

“Alright…” he huffed “Get ready!” 

Kabbu took the mask and immediately the room started shaking, water began pouring in. 

“Huh… still no spider… guess we scared it away this time” Kabbu commented “Alright least we can go and-”

“There they are!” 

“It's them!”

The three of them turned at the entrance of the room, seeing wasp soldiers approaching the area while water still filled up the place. And leading them was…. “YOU!!” him, his walks was stiff and controlled.

“Oh come on!” Vi cursed “You shouldn't be here!! This is not your script just yet!!” 

Team snakemouth immediately went on guard. They were surrounded by Wasp soldiers.. 

“I was this close!! This. Very. Close, from killing all of you!! I can almost taste absolute control with this everlasting power!!” Hoaxe sounded… very furious despite the waters pouring in, tightly gripping his axe “I don't know what you three pests have done, I don't know how I got sent back in time… but I lost this… grandiose absolute power…” His long robe uncaring after being drenched in water, he just stood there with his axe ready, his small army preparing for a fight.

Kabbu tried to reason with him “Wasp King! This is not the place to have a small chat nor a fight, everything's going to collapse-” 

“SHUT UP!” He yells “I want… my power back! I want my absolute control! I want my Everlasting Sapling! You three will GIVE THAT ARTIFACT to me right now, THIS INSTANT!!”

“We won't!” Leif yelled firmly amidst the place shaking “We won't let you have the artifact… In fact, we won't let anyone have the artifact anymore, not even us! No one deserves to open, to have such dangerous, and destructive might on their possession. Especially not you vile thing”

“Hah! You three are nothing without the flame brooch! What could you all do when a fire pillar burns your body, huh?!” He raised his hand, prepare to burn them off with a flame flickering from the tip “So hand the-”

The place trembles and shakes even more, suddenly the wall teared up, and a large boulder fell down, crashing on the pooling water. Everyone in that room has to balance their standing from the trembling crash of the boulder.

“The spider?!” Vi said in disbelief, seeing that creature crawling out of the hole, she groaned “I thought we spook that creature away”

The spider then jumped and landed on the ground, and from the gaping wall, also came dozens upon dozens of smaller spiders, another army.

For some reason, despite the impending danger this room has, the wasps and the spiders can't even read the room, creating a tense standoff that Team Snakemouth cannot run away from.

“What in the-” The spider charged at one of the flying dagger wasps, sending it flying, then charging at another while the little spiders began to attack. 

Immediately the wasp soldiers' focus went to the spider and their smaller spiders, a small battle began in a not so good timing  

 But The usurper's eyes… His fiery eyes quickly glared at the mask Kabbu was holding on while the beetle and his friends were busy with the little spiders attacking. He raised his axe, aiming his shot, and threw it bard at the scarab. 

Kabbu gasped as he saw the axe flying directly at him…. He thought he was doomed, but. 

“Oh no you won't!” Vi threw her beemerang, it perfectly hit the flying axe, sending it to the ground, completely missing his hit.

Leif used this chance to summon an ice shard with a swipe of his hand “You won't hurt him, we won't let you” and send it at The Usurper, sending him staggered a step back. 

“You two….” Kabbu can't help but to be happy, and feel safer with them. 

The fight was getting tenser, more smaller spiders began crawling out, battle raging in this small treasure room. Until… the room cannot take it anymore.

“Uh oh… guys!” Vi began to sound panic, catching her flying beemerang back “The water is rising” the place is quickly flooding.

The room is getting more unstable. Waters keep pouring in from all directions, ending the fight in a dangerous halt. Some wasps were getting swept away by the flood while the spiders immediately escaped and  crawled away to the hole. 

“Vi, Kabbu, get close to us!” Leif exclaimed, pulling Kabbu near him. And when Vi flies to his direction, he spreads his hands open and conjures a shield bubble. “This time… we'll be safe from the flood. No more getting swept away!”

And they did… the shield bubble floats, being shoved under the raging waves of water that kept rising, the flood that kept on rising, acting like a small floatie. 

In the distance… their attention were directed at a voice cutting through the chaos “LISTEN VERY WELL!! I…” They can see the wasp King having trouble with the flows of water, flapping his arms, trying to stay afloat. And despite all that, he could still yell at them “I WON'T STOP. UNTIL I HAVE… THAT SAPLING BACK!! I SWEAR!! I'LL KILL ANYONE… I'LL DO ANYTHING TO FIND THAT ARTIFACTS AGAIN!! YOU THREE HEAR ME! I WON'T STOP FOR ANYTHING!!! THIS IS NOT THE END….” He suddenly laughed, slowly being drowned into the water “THIS IS JUST THE STARTS LITTLE BUGS!! THIS IS START OF THE WASP KING CONQUEST, BE READY FOR YOUR DOOM-!!” 

Then… he was swept under the flood, leaving Team Snakemouth to stay thanks to the shield bubble.

“Well… there he goes, hoped he didn't return” Vi commented, gulping. For some reason… she felt intimidated by his words “Umm.. you two, he won't stop, will he?”

“No, Vi…” Kabbu said, worried too “He’s right, this is just the start” He stared at the artifact he held tight “He sounded so determined, so angry… He remembers too, we weren't even supposed to meet him until his invasion, and the worst of all…” He paused, his voice almost choking with fear “I feel like with him knowing, our journey to stop him… to stop anyone from getting this artifact… might not be the same after this, everything could be unpredictable and sudden” 

“Ugh” Leif groaned, strengthening his shield “Get ready! The waves are getting crazy over here!”

Team Snakemouth in Leif's shield, held on together as the harsh stream began to drag them everywhere like a roller coaster. Hitting the wall, being sent jumping like a ball, almost flew everywhere. They all could do nothing but screams like an orchestra, while Leif used his entire strength to keep his shield bubble from cracking. 

“You know!” Vi yelled amidst the screaming “This would actually be very fun if we weren't in danger!!”

“I agree!” Kabbu yelled back, laughing a bit “Leif, tried to hang on!”

“We will!” Leif grunted, his eyes closed as he kept his hands spread wide. “We won't let the shield be destroyed! We had enough being swept by this dumb flood!”

Thankfully, after a while, they could see the very end of the water roller coaster directly outside the den and onto the rivers, but unfortunately… they were going to crash straight to the ground, something that Leif's shield wouldn't be able to hang on with this intense speed “Uh oh, brace for impact!”

They all screamed as the shield crashed to the ground, it cracked and shattered upon impact, sending Team Snakemouth rolling and landing with a hard thud, sending dust everywhere.

Then… there's a short darkness for a moment… everything was dark for them except for sounds of water in the background.

“Ngh... What…” Kabbu could feel himself passing out at any moment now. “Ow…”

Three seconds passed, ten seconds passed. But he can't go out, imagining Vi and Leif dying in front of him… it made him very scared. 

And so… while still wobbly. He stood up, holding his stomach “Vi! Leif! Are you two alright?” They're… back in here again, near the cave hole to the golden pathway, just like last time. 

He walked slowly to Vi, who was groaning. He helped her sit down “Cripes, we really got lucky, again…” She sighed, holding her own chest. “I… would rather jump to a pit of weevils than having to experience that flooding again” she hissed, her bed suddenly hurts.

“So do I… Vi, so do I…” he patted her back 

Kabbu then went to Leif who was coughing, also helping him to sit down. “When we get the chance, we'll definitely be sure to just freeze the whole dumb river” He looks exhausted, especially after exerting so much power just for the shield bubble. “It's so. Damn. Annoying!”

“Phew. I'm just relieved to see you two well, again…” Kabbu nervously chuckled but ended up with an ouch on his body. 

“Wait!” Vi exclaimed, stretching her body as she weakly stood up “Where's the artifact?”

“Oh no! I dropped it when we crash” Well… that was ironic. It was Kabbu who dropped it this time. 

“Ngghh!” Leif pointed out “The artifact... It's over there” still in the same place where they last dropped it. 

“Well, let's find a way to put it away for good this time, and we would complete our mission” Kabbu said. All they need is to make one puzzle missing and the rest will be incompleted, impossibly so.

But as they all managed to recover, and stood up. Five bugs approached them, came running at them with tension in their gaze.

“Oh! It's you guys!” Eetl said in relief, almost crying “Oh Goddesses! You're alright! I couldn't stop worrying, ever since you left!” 

“Yeah” The ladybug said. There's Levi and Celia too, all geared up and prepared “After the association got reports that wasp soldiers entered Snakemouth, we got so worried”

“The whole association went into panic mode” And there's also Gen and Eri… the two ants. “Thinking the wasp began their invasion”

“No kidding, Gen… not helping with Maki still away from the palace, how did you three get out?”

“It was a...rocky journey. What with the flood, that's why we managed to get away” Kabbu said… still holding his stomach. “There were… definitely a lot of wasps inside”p

“No kidding! I don't wanna see rivers again!” Vi complained, feeling her body still hurts. “This time for real!”

“We're just glad to finally be out of there, at least” Leif gave a short comment 

“Rivers!? You're some lucky bugs!!!” Celia was the one to comment before Eetl could “Such a bold way to escape”

But Eetl cleared his throat “But uh...Vi, Kabbu, who's this?”

“Name's Leif. Bug stuck inside Snakemouth. They saved me.” Leif said… remembering that none of them remembered. 

“So you DID make it into Snakemouth!?” Eetl said in disbelief. “Well I'm… I'm not supposed to be surprise at all”

Eri went to check on Vi and her aching arm “Going to Snakemouth is crazy… but with what you two shows to Maki, there's nothing to be worried, right Eetl?”

“Hmm?” Team Snakemouth hearts skipped a beat when Gen picked up something “Isn’t this… isn't this the artifact?!!” 

It caught all the five bugs' attention, even Eri immediately checked on it. But that means…. Bad news, this isn't how the story supposed to end.

“Impossible! You two actually found it” Eetl said, holding it in his hand, even knocking on it. “I can't believe it..”

“Um, so is it like, the real deal?” Levi asked as him and Celia takes a hold on it 

“Yeah..  could be an artifact NOT related with The sapling” Celia added. “Could be just another treasure”

“No! It's not quite like another artifact we've been looking into. That must and has to be the genuine deal. It's just like Neolith was saying, this is no fake, nor another unrelated artifact. Goodness” Eetl stared at the three again, he didn't notice their… unusual faces “You three really did find it!”

“Alrighty!” Eetl then clapped his hands twice “We should go see the Queen right away! She will be beyond ecstatic!”

“W-wait!” Kabbu yelled before they left “Please just wait!!” This isn't how the story is supposed to go through. 

“It's fine, Kabbu” Celia giggled “You three will take all the credits here, right Lev?” 

“Mmhhmm, I swore in my life” He put a hand on his chest “I'm not the type to steal people's credits, so dishonorable as an explorer”

“No no!” Vi was even more panicked, staring at Leif for a moment “That's not what we're talking about, it's about-”

“Oh! I know I know, Ahem!” He cleared his throat, again..  usually for formal clearance “With my authority as the association's caretaker, in honor of your feat…

“I grant you, Team Snakemouth, the perk of being able to have three members, and of course, full credit for your achievement in getting the artifact!”

“Oohhh Team Snakemouth…” Gen said in amazement 

“A proper explorer team name…” Eri joined in too. “So cool”

And then…. They just… left like that. After what Team Snakemouth had done… after nearly drowning, after doing their best to stop anyone from getting that artifact, almost had a death fight with The Wasp King… after their entire resolve and determination to not let the future repeat itself…

It did… yet again….

“G-guys…” Kabbu turned to stare at the two… “W-we… we failed” His voice shaken. 

 Both bugs immediately followed with the same kind of look, terror, fear, despair… a weight of failure.

“N-n-no… no….” Vi couldn't just believe it, she fell to her knees. “After… everything….”

“D-dammit!” While Leif groaned, clenching his hands. 

After all of that, after what they have to endure, they failed to stop it, they failed to prevent a piece of the domino.

……….

………

The adventurous duo, Vi and Kabbu, dove into Snakemouth Den for their team's repeat exploration mission.

A place known for having consumed any previous explorer that dared to enter, something that they all knew from the back of their head.

Even so, the team stuck together, saved Leif again, and came with an important ambitious mission to stop the future from ever happening.

Together, they found one of the fabled artifacts that they have been looking for.

Triggering a trap, they unexpectedly meet face to face with the vile Wasp King again before being swept away. 

What will happen to this trio who were sent back in time? Will they eventually prevent the inevitable from happening? Will they stop the wasp King and their kingdom from getting their hands to the dreaded artifacts? And ended the future from ever happening again?

Little do they know that their adventure is just starting… and soon, their adventure will go beyond what they have expected,  taking a completely different new path.

End of Chapter 1 (Again, not the fic chapter but the game's chapter)