After the invasion had ended, the worker ants began rebuilding, repairing all the damage inside and near the colony. Their enemies were properly buried, and the colony was getting back on its feet. Everything seemed amazing; however, there was one fact that couldn't be overlooked.
"Why am I back to being a prisoner, doing all this labor? Shouldn't I have my freedom by now? It's been four days.
"Did that queen trick me? I played right into her hands. I'm such an idiot, thinking that saving the colony would automatically put me in her good graces and grant me freedom."
"Hey, Ari, it's been a while since we've seen each other. Where were you during the war? All prisoners were on lockdown until further notice, and I didn't see you when this was announced, so I was worried about you," said Evelyn sincerely.
"Well, let's just say I was really busy planning something and leave it at that," said Ari.
"Hello there, young man," said an old ant.
"And who might you be? Do I know you?" asked Ari.
"This is my grandpa Brook, you know, the one you helped out and did his eight hours of work when he collapsed."
"Oh, I see. I'm glad that you're doing well now, Brook."
"Thank you for your help, young ant. I haven't met someone as kind as you," said Brook.
Anastasia walked into the mines and called out to Ari.
"Ari, there will be a meeting held by Queen Celeste. She would like for you to attend, so come with me."
"Finally! It's about time she called me from this one-meal-paying-ass job," said Ari as he dropped his pickaxe and followed Anastasia.
"I wonder what will happen to him? Why did the queen call for him to attend a meeting?" Evelyn asked herself worriedly.
Upon arriving at the meeting place, Ari noticed that it was heavily guarded by military ants, with a large boulder blocking the entrance.
"We are here on the queen's request. Let us through," said Anastasia.
The military ants moved the boulder so Anastasia and Ari could pass, then moved it back, closing off the entrance.
Ari then noticed a group of elder ants sitting down, staring at him in a disturbing manner.
"You both have made it. Take a seat; we will begin this meeting immediately.
"Before we get to the main reason for this meeting, I'd like to properly introduce ourselves to the man who saved this colony.
"We are the heads of the colony, after the queen, of course. We have been responsible for making decisions regarding war strategies and food sources long before Queen Celeste's reign," said an elderly ant.
"Now, if I may point out— forgive me if I'm being blunt and overstepping my authority, my queen— but why did you not consult us for input on the war that took place between both colonies?"
"There was no time to think. We had to act accordingly," said Queen Celeste.
"Although we won that war, I can't help but feel agitated by how it was done. Seeking help from a dirty prisoner made us look like we had no other choice but to listen to every single word he said and commanded."
"Do not address this ant as a prisoner! The queen made the right call. If we had waited for you old geezers to come to a collective decision, we would all be dead by now," said Anastasia.
"Such insolence is why you are still a lieutenant and never became a commander, Anastasia."
Anastasia was pissed at the elder's words. However, Ari managed to calm her down, preventing her from doing anything stupid.
"Don't forget the fact that if he hadn't warned us about the invasion, we'd all be dead by now. Anastasia believed him, and I placed my trust in her and his strategy, which not only saved the colony but also minimized casualties," said Queen Celeste.
"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't even be here having this discussion, so be grateful."
"That's a fair point, my queen. Forgive me for my rudeness. Now then, for the main reason this meeting was called.
"Lieutenant Anastasia, you have proven your capabilities as a leader and demonstrated excellent calmness and critical thinking during every crisis. If it weren't for your faith in this ant, the colony wouldn't be here today. I would like to bestow upon you a rank greater than the one you currently hold."
"Your Majesty, you don't mean…"
"From this day forward, you will be referred to as Commander Anastasia."
"I humbly accept this title, even though I'm not deserving."
"Your father would be proud of what you have accomplished, becoming a commander at such a tender age," said Queen Celeste.
"I bet he would be," said Anastasia.
"So she was rewarded with a new rank. That's good for her. No one is as devoted to the colony as she is, so she's earned it," Ari thought to himself.
"Next is you, Ari. As promised, for successfully saving our colony and protecting Princess Tanya, you are granted your freedom. You are no longer a prisoner."
"Just the words I wanted to hear," said Ari with a smirk.
"Now that you're free, where will you go? And what will you do?" asked Anastasia.
"To be honest, I don't know. I was just wandering around when you and your squad kidnapped me and turned me into a prisoner, even after I expressed my innocence."
"I apologize for that misunderstanding. You see, I put the colony's priority first, so I acted for its sake.
"If you don't mind, there is another option that both I and the elders believe would be better."
"I'm listening, as long as it has nothing to do with being imprisoned again," said Ari.
"The first time you came here, you expressed that you didn't belong to a colony. So we have decided to humbly ask you to become part of ours," said the queen as she and the elders bowed to express their genuine desire for Ari to join them.
"Your strategy was flawless. We could use someone with a level head like you in our military. You planned a way for our soldiers to survive despite how outnumbered we were."
"They should thank the video games I used to play when I was alive. That's where I got the idea from. I didn't expect it to work out so well," Ari thought to himself.
"So, do you agree to join us?" asked Queen Celeste.
"I will join, but on one condition."
"And what might that be?"
"I've got two friends who are prisoners here. If you set them free and allow them to become regular worker ants in your colony, then I'll accept your offer."
"That's pushing it! There's no way our queen would agree to such a ridiculous—"
"That's fair enough. Your friends will be freed as well. Welcome to the colony, Ari. I expect great things from you."
"Oh, and as for your first task as commander, I want you to train Ari to be on par with our other soldiers."
"Wait, what?! But, Your Majesty, why do I have to train him?" asked Anastasia.
"I'm putting you in charge of overseeing his training. Do not disappoint me," said Queen Celeste.