"I told you this was a bad idea, Scott."

"Well, excuse me for not knowing we'd lose our antennae!"

Scott and Hope were surrounded by Sokovian Pygmy Digger ants. Pygmy normally meant small, but these were huge compared to the shrinking couple– normal Sokovian Diggers were even worse.

Scott had suggested they try making their own ant rodeo– an idea Hope had agreed to out of curiosity. But the antennae on their helmets had been knocked loose, and both of their regulators were broken, so they couldn't risk growing or shrinking.

"Just don't make any sudden movements, and we should be fine." Hope whispered.

"But then how will we get away? They have us surrounded!" Scott replied.

"Ava overheard you talking about the ant rodeo, she'll try looking for us." Hope said.

"She went shopping a little while ago. She won't be back for a while." Scott replied.

"Dang it." Hope muttered.

"Maybe we could try growing back? It's risky, but right now it's our only option." Scott said.

"No. We'd end up growing forever. Not something to try." Hope said.

"I guess not." Scott sighed. The ants growled lowly, before slowly closing in on them. "Oh man..." Scott said, before one reared its head up and lunged towards him. Hope leaped in front of him, firing off a flurry of energy blasts from her suit. Roaring, the ant scampered away, its face charred badly. An ant grabbed Hope's wings in its jaw, so she flipped backwards on it, driving her feet through its thorax. When three ants tried attacking from behind, Hope and Scott grabbed them all by their legs and yanked them into the air, where the Hope could send energy blasts straight through their abdomens. The three dead ants fell to the ground, and Scott shoved them towards the last living one, smushing its legs. He leaped on top of it and punched it right through its face.

"Yuck..." He muttered when he pulled his gloved hand out, as it was covered in ant brains.

"Let's never do that again." Hope said, picking up the torn antennae from their suits. Her wings were shredded, and City didn't have any carpenter ants with him, so flying wasn't an option.

"Agreed." Scott said, as they jumped on top of a book on the ground where they had set up the base for their rodeo.

"I can put the antennae back on, but only Mom and Dad can fix the regulators and wings. Which means we're stuck until they get back from setting up their house in Hawaii." Hope sighed.

"At least we're stuck together." Scott said. Hope smiled.

"I am so using this against you in the future." She said, resting her head on his shoulder. Scott only nodded, relaxed and sleepy.