Chapter 177 The Low Rider (1/2)

Gradually my mind begins to resurface. It's a strange feeling, seeing as I don't actually get to sleep as an ant but rather going into the stasis like rest of torpor so I'm not actually used to properly blacking out like this.

The memory of what had taken place when I evolved still boils away in my mind. Gandalf? Is he actually down in the Dungeon somewhere? I push away the bad memories of my previous life that had been dragged up during the conversation, I don't waste time focusing on that stuff. I have plenty to be about in the here and now after all! I've got a new family, pets and a brand new Mother to look after, no point stuffing about thinking of things that are long gone.

Sensations bubble up in my awareness until the light comes on in my eyes and then BAM, I'm awake!

HAH!

HOOGABAH!

I'm here! I'm ready! It's actions stations people!

….

Why is my face full of fluff?!

Flexing my legs and body I can feel all of the familiar appendages are in their proper places, six legs, two antennae, the junk in my trunk. All seems good!

The real problem I have is all this d.a.m.n fuzz in my face! What the heck is going on!

[Tiny!]

[….]

[Tiny is that you?!]

[….]

[Get the h.e.l.l up Tiny! I need to move about in here!]

[…. Sleepy]

[Go sleep on the surface or something! I can't even see with all this fuzz in my eyes!]

[…. Tired]

[That's the same thing as sleepy! Get the heck out of here you lump!]

I can sense an exasperated sigh over the mental link, as if I'm the one being unreasonable! Just who does this ape think he is? And why the heck is he so d.a.m.n fluffy now!?

Gradually the fuzz begins to s.h.i.+ft and move and I can gradually see a little better. A wall of long white fuzzy hair rolls away from me towards the entrance where I can hear grunting punctuated by frustrated growls.

…

[Do you not fit?!]

[…. No]

Dangit! I shouldn't be too surprised since the entrance and chamber was a little squeezy before he evolved. Knowing Tiny and his general species I can only a.s.sume that he has gotten even more powerful and large after evolving. If I'd thought ahead properly I would have realised this would happen and made proper preparations.

[You'll have to dig your way out buddy. Try digging straight out that way and you should come out the side of the hill, near the top]

Our chamber is usually dug the closest to the top and off to the side somewhere, out of the way of the rest of the colony so there shouldn't be a problem if he starts digging his way through. Even if the side of the hill collapses it won't take down any chambers others than ours and we can dig out easily enough.

I hear a deep sc.r.a.ping as the ape starts to dig his way out. The only visible evidence I have of that is the s.h.i.+fting white hair pressed into my face.

Eventually he finally breaks through. Grunting happily to himself he hauls himself out into the light and I finally get a good look at his new size as he moves.

He's big! That's a big ape!

He was already large enough to put any earth sized gorilla to shame but he must have increased in size by thirty percent with this evolution! If he were to stand up to his maximum height he'd probably crack ten feet, easy! His thick, powerful arms are covered in long white hairs, the shorter hair on his torso is also mostly white. On closer inspection, he isn't pure snow white like a polar bear, more of a burnished silvery colour.

Is he a silverback now?

[What species are you now Tiny, do you remember?]

Out on the side of the hill now and basking in the suns.h.i.+ne, Tiny turns to look at me and I can see his bat face is now completely black, rather than the dark grey it used to be. His eyes however are a deep glowing red.

[…]

[Your species? What kind of monster are you now? Do you know at all bud?]

He stares at me blankly.

[Did your cunning actually go DOWN?!]

[…]