Zap and his friends spread the news about Gonzo’s meeting. They visited every friendly bug in the wood, from the earwigs on Rotten Row to the dragonflies over at Soggy Bog.

Zap felt the sun beam down on his wings – it was already high in the sky.

“We should head back,” he said, “or we’ll be the only ones not at the meeting!”

Zap couldn’t believe his eyes as he flew into the clearing by Gonzo’s Rock. It was packed! Insects who were usually sworn enemies stood side by side, waiting to hear what Gonzo had to say.

“I never thought I’d see Mac the caterpillar standing next to Stig the wasp,” said Lurch.

“Me neither,” said Buzz. “They hate each other!”

Zap found the last clear patch of ground for them to land on. Buzz, Crunch and Lurch crawled to the front. Zap flew upwards, hovering above the crowd, as Gonzo hopped on to his rock. All eyes were on the grasshopper.

“Friends,” said Gonzo. “I have bad news. Spinner has returned.”

Zap watched rows of wings shudder with fright.

“But,” continued Gonzo, “Spinner is now on his last chance. He must be challenged to a showdown. If he wins … then I will leave the wood forever …”

“No!” shouted Zap.

“… and let him rule,” finished the grasshopper.

“Don’t do it, Gonzo!”

“This can’t be happening!”

Cries filled the clearing and Gonzo lifted his front legs in a plea for quiet.

“If Spinner loses,” said the grasshopper, “then he must agree to be ruled by me and live peacefully among us. I wish I could be the one to fight this last battle, but I’m too old. So, one of you must step up to the challenge as my champion.”

Zap’s antennae prickled with nerves as he looked around the crowd, waiting for some big courageous bug to raise his or her wing. But most of them looked at the ground, shuffling their legs.

Zap sensed he was being watched. He turned to see the grasshopper gazing at him. Out of all the bugs here, he was the one Gonzo was looking at. Zap might be the smallest bug in the wood, but Gonzo often told him that he was the bravest.

This is it, thought Zap. This is what he’s been training me for.

Zap took a deep breath and flew up next to the grasshopper. “I’ll do it,” he said. “Even if I have to face Spinner alone.”

The crowd gasped.

“Thank you,” said Gonzo.

Lurch scrambled up the rock, quickly followed by Buzz and Crunch.

“You daft weevil,” said Lurch. “As if we’re going to let you do this by yourself!”

“No chance,” said Crunch.

The crowd began to cheer.

“Bug Buddies are the best,” cried Willy the wasp beetle.

“Spinner doesn’t stand a chance!” shouted Mazie the millipede.

Zap felt proud to have such loyal friends. But he wondered whether the Bug Buddies had taken on too much this time.

“What have I got us into?” he said to himself, as a group of ants crawled over to wish them good luck.

After all, Spinner would do anything to become leader of the wood. Could they really stop him?