Th is fic was inspired by reading to much ZAGR on the site. So, please bare with my despite the fact that it may get a tad OOC. Thanks much and happy reading!

DISCLAIMER: Nup~ Dun own Invader Zim

CHAPTER I: The Return

The Massive cruised at average speed towards its destination. It was the biggest ship in the entire Irken army, just until the completion of the Impendia. On the Massive were the regular Irken soldiers and pilots but there was a new addition: Zim. Yes, Zim, was standing there and staring out into the black expanse of space as he recalled all the events of the past few years.

He remembered everything like it was just yesterday.

*FLASHBACK*

The screen in Zim's lab flashed with static as the former Invader stared at it. It had been such a long time since he had any transmission from any Irken since he heard the news from the Tallest. How his mission was a lie, how he was the laughing-stock of the whole empire and that… he was a defective. The words ringed in his mind as he remembered them…

You're defective ZIM!

DEFECTIVE

DEFECTIVE… Not an Invader

He feared for himself why that after all his years on Earth, the Tallest were contacting him now. Suddenly, the screen came alive, on it the faces of his leaders, the almighty Tallest Red and Purple. But this time, they did not wear on their faces the usual look of disturbance or disgust that they usually had when talking with Zim but instead looked rather pleased.

"Invader Zim. Status report!" demanded Red as he looked at Zim

"Invader, my Tallest? I thought I was removed from being an Invader and banished."

"Not really Zim." said Purple with a donut in his hand "We've been… let's say, harsh."

"A bit too harsh if I may add." interjected Red "We've actually been monitoring your progress Zim. You've come quite far and have… outgrown your stupidity. You aren't as dumb as you used to be."

There was a long pause between the three.

"And not to mention that you've grown quite tall. Tall enough to say… become Tallest." Purple smiled as he uttered those words.

Zim looked at his feet and saw that indeed, he had grown. All these years on Earth had changed him quite lot. He had friends such as Dib and Gaz. He lived like a normal Earthling and even developed immunity to most of the things which at first, burned and scarred him.

"We want you to return to Irk. Teach us what you have learned on that planet." Purple floated aimlessly behind Red, losing all interest in the current topic.

"Forgive me, my Tallest but I cannot leave." Zim said, sadness in his voice "I… have someone who needs me here."

Red was shocked at Zim's refusal to return home. He thought that after all this time, Zim would jump for joy and immediately hop into his ship and fly back but he was wrong. Instead, Zim had wanted to stay on Earth since there was something that was holding him there.

"Come on, Zim. Just come back. It's a really important time for Irk. Do you remember what time it is?"

Zim searched his brain and found the answer that the Tallest knew that he knew.

"It is… the Ceremony of Passing, correct?" Zim raised an invisible eyebrow.

"Yes Zim. And you… have qualified to become the next Tallest of our empire."

*END FLASHBACK*

Zim remembered the words as if it had all happened in the blink of eye. Here he was adorned in his crimson robes and now known as the Tallest among his race. A smile crept across his face and he placed his hand on the railings, grasping it to get a sense of reality, that this was not a dream.

In his tenure as Tallest of Irk, he had accomplished what many others before him could not. Instead of waging universal war and to rule all, he demanded that the Irken empire stand down and cease all hostile activities. He wanted peace… he knew that if things proceeded the way they were, it would only be matter of time before Earth was engulfed in the flames of war. And Zim knew all to well that Earth was not prepared let alone even stand a chance against the Irken empire… as well as any attack from other races. Earth was the one place Zim felt more at home, even more than being on Irk. He had come to love the planet and dearly missed his friends.

It was the golden age of the Irken race, some said. Zim had even restructured the whole government system on his planet, bringing about a more stable form of control.

A door behind Zim opened and in floated the former Tallest Red.

"Are you sure that this is what you want Zim." Red was worried

"Yes. Even though I will not be on Irk, I am quite capable of commanding from where I will be. Plus, I have you and Purple to take care of matters"

Through his work Irk,a new system had been called for allowing Red and Purple to maintain political power. But from then on, they were known as the Taller, second in command to the Tallest.

"Sir. We have reached our destination and your ship is prepared to launch at any moment." announced one of the soldiers at the control panels.

"My Taller, you and Purple will be in charge while I'm gone. Contact me if anything important arises." Zim walked off towards the door.

"Oh, and no blowing up of planets while I'm gone!" added Zim with a chuckle

"That's long gone now, Zim. And, yes sir." replied Red

Walking through the steel doors, Zim vanished from Red's view and made his way down the halls to the elevator, taking him to the hangar bay. From there, he took a ship and flew towards the planet now well in view.

That's the first chapter of my new fic. R&R and please don't hate me for making things seem so great for Zim. My answer is because he spent time on Earth learned so much that he outgrew his old habits and matured. Now, he's a pretty smart alien. Dunno if he should still speak in third person though. Anyway, I hope you look forward to the next chapter. I'll have it up in a while. It might get OOC since this is somewhat of an alternate reality or universe or maybe just my writing.

Thanks guys, Raruku out~