A/N I do not own Invader Zim. And I still refuse to use exclamation points.

This goes to 9peggy for her amazing PATNR two-shot, Defective.

The Halt

"It's horrible. They're everywhere."

Purple stared wide-eyed at the computer screen as the tiny Irken Invader's screams echoed throughout the room. Though they were light years apart, he could feel the terror on Tenn's face reach his own. Was it the fact he was watching the entire fiasco unfold right before his eyes? Maybe. Or maybe it was the fact it was just her voice, her helpless and frightened voice dug into his skin?

Yeah, that was probably it.

The next day Purple kept to himself, musing over the horrific scene he witnessed the previous day. He remembered her smile, that sweet smile that she gave him before he was Tallest, and before she was even an Invader. Though he was always taller than her, she caught his interest like no other Irken did.

Tenn would always brag about how she would be glorified with the task of becoming Invader. She would always regale him with stories of accomplishing her dreams as her eyes ignited with determination. Purple never met anyone like her. She was different, to say the least. She had this bizarre quirk about her, things no other Irken had. Though many Irkens spoke of becoming Invaders, they never had the passion she had.

And that was saying so much, considering that the Irken race thrived on the passion for the Empire.

But the most peculiar thing about her was her indifference towards height.

When Purple became Tallest, he expected every Irken to fear his almighty presence. Virtually all of them did. Tenn didn't. She wasn't afraid of him. Fear worked in wondrous ways, but Tenn was not afraid of him.

"I have no reason to…"

It didn't mean Tenn didn't respect him, because Tenn respected Purple more than the service drones and especially Red. Instead of looking upon him with dread like every Irken (besides Zim, of course), Tenn would give Purple all of her admiration and devotion. And as he replayed the events of the malfunctioning SIRS vividly in his head, Purple couldn't stand it any longer. He couldn't see her like that, suffering. He wouldn't.

And Red would be hearing all of it until Purple got what he wished for.

"It's just one Invader," Red yawned as he reached for a bag of chips. Purple swiped it from Red's grasp, infuriated at his co-ruler's indifferent demeanor. Red raised a brow. "What does it matter to you?"

"It just does," Purple grumbled, shooting Red a glare. He crossed his arms. "We can't lose an Invader like her. She's amazing."

Red shrugged. "So was Skoodge," he countered calmly, "but that didn't stop us from nearly killing him, now did it?"

Purple kept up his stare, not backing down by Red's unwavering amount of logic. He was smart, and Purple knew Red would want to take advantage of his oh so smartness. Purple didn't get him sometimes, because they were supposed to be co-rulers, not I-make-all-the-decisions-while-you-agree-with-me rulers.

He was sick of Red calling all the shots. He was sick of Red bossing him around. He was sick of Red brushing him aside.

And he was sick of Red thinking he was the only one who could rule with an iron fist.

Purple disregarded Red's attitude towards everything and made an announcement that would stun everybody:

"Operation Impending Doom II is on a halt. All of our Invaders are going to temporarily abandon their missions to rescue Invader Tenn from the Planet Meekrob."

Of course he got lectured and yelled at by Red. But it was worth it in the end, because Purple knew Tenn would be safe if she had Invaders come to rescue her.

Red eventually let the idea settle inside, because even he knew that they didn't attempt to send the Megadoomer to Tenn for nothing. She was an exceptional Invader. Extremely.

Too bad Purple didn't realize her life was going to be in the hands of Skoodge and Zim.