Thunderstorm: Chapter Three

Suddenly, a video picture of the leaders of Irk popped up on the screen. "Hello, Zim?" Tallest Purple said as he seemed to be looking around the base.

"He's not here, he went to chase the DIB-human," Gir's voice broke in from it's recorded tape.

"Mmm well, then what do we do now," Purple whispered turning to his co-leader, Tallest Red.

"Tell him anyway, Zim we are glad of your services in the past...," Red began before purple picked up and finished.

"But we have decided to let you go."

"Yes, don't bother calling us. We won't bother calling you. Your transmitter has been disconnected." Zim stared at the screen in bewilderment.

"So I'm fired," Gir's voice broke in again.

"No, Zim's fired...Just make sure he gets this message," Purple said.

"Oh, and Zim as a strict Irked military command stay on the planet you're on, don't trouble yourself by coming back to Irk," Red ordered with slight amusement in his voice. Zim was speechless. All he could think was that this must be a horrible mistake or a joke.

"In short terms, your mission has been terminated," both leaders said in unison, with like smiles on their faces. With that, the screen went black. Zim just stood in the hum of his systems not even making an effort to blink. He just couldn't believe, let alone understand what he just heard. To be an invader was all he wanted to do, nothing more and nothing less. He lived to serve his home planet and tried so hard to appease his leaders. Now he was abandoned. Forgotten and alone. He snapped out of his trance and looked around his secret lair. It had to be a mistake right. They would call back any moment now and say it was a test, but for some reason, he knew they wouldn't.

"My mission," Zim said quietly to himself. Then without warning, he slumped to the ground shouting in rage, confusion and pain. What am I going to do? Did I upset the Almighty Tallest somehow? What about the mission? The humans? His house? Base? Am I stuck on Earth? Do I leave? All these questions raced through his mind, without answers. He thought so hard his mind began punishing him with a harsh headache. He hugged his legs to his chest and stared blankly at his computer screen, that showed the same blank expression.

As minutes turned into hours Zim finally stood up and walked slowly to the exit of his labs. When he reached the top of his home, he glanced around the house sadly. He had tried so hard to look normal and for what. He quietly made his way to the living room looking down at the still, sleeping figures. It was around five in the morning and dawn was just about to break. The alien stood there for a while before making his way to the door. He opened it up to be greeted by the same sights of last nights events. Homes destroyed, trees knocked down, scrap metal, and debris-riddled the ground. He glanced from the wreckage to the now slightly rising sun. Even though he thought this planet was a horrible ball of spinning filth, he did like its sun sets and rises. So full of color, with its pink and orange hues along with the blue sky and violet outline.

He had done plenty of thinking about his life-shattering message. He was still in shock and confusion but he decided that he would leave Earth and go into space somewhere. He didn't know exactly where he wanted to end up, but if he wasn't welcome at home, then he felt he wasn't welcomed anywhere. Zim was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the purple and pink ship enter into the Earth's atmosphere. Instead, he went back inside to get in at least an hour of rest. He picked up Girl and the sleeping bag and headed for the couch. He laid them down on the sofa and jumped up onto it as well. Then he wrapped himself up in the blanket and went into a dreamless sleep.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned parking lot, a spacecraft similar to Zim's Vootrunner landed. It was soon followed by two more Vootrunners. The hatches of all three ships opened to reveal three irkens in Invader uniform. They all were taller than Zim but quite small for human standards. Each had blue eyes instead of red. One who appeared to be taller than the rest, and automatically given leadership, pulled out a screen from his pod. It flickered onto the picture of another irken, this time with purple eyes, and a uniform signifying high command.

"Ma'am, we have landed undetected, what are our next orders," he said saluting her.

"Good work, we need to render the planet helpless. I want communications down, fuel and weapons destroyed, and all the Earthinoids captured, you know what to do," she explained waving her hand to allow the soldier to be at ease.

"What about Zim," he questioned.

"Don't worry, the Tallest have said it's been taken care of he won't be bothering the mission," she answered.

"Okay, I have my orders," he said forcefully.

"All right, Commander Juelia out."

"Invader Pud out."

Pud turned to face his soldiers. "Okay you heard the command, let's go rain some doom." All three Invaders took off in separate directions, each heading toward their area of expertise. Meanwhile, in Zim's home one figure began to stir.

"Man, I feel like I've been hit by a truck," Dib said as he clutched his head in pain. He glanced around momentarily confused about his surroundings. He still didn't have glasses and his vision was blurred, however, he recognized where he was. Memories quickly came flooding back. He slowly stood up, taking special care not to disturb his sleeping sister. He limped on his bad ankle over to the open window and looked out. The sun was now letting its golden rays bathe everything in a warm light. He survived the damage as best he could with obscured vision and let out a sad sigh. Some people were also out along with police cars and fire trucks, to begin the difficult task of cleaning up. He watched as families walked by what use to be their homes. Staring blankly at the scene, his thoughts wandered off to his family. What was he and Gaz going to do? Well, he knew the answer, he just didn't want to accept it. Dad had to be safe, right? He was a scientist, the best, after all, if anyone knew what to do during a disaster it would be him. So, why isn't he here. Dib was so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed Gaz had awakened and was standing beside him.

"I wish mom was here," Dib said softly to himself.

"Me too." Startled Dib jumped and put a hand to his heart dramatically.

"Dah! You...you scared me."

"Phhit dork," she responded jokingly. She then looked out the window at the scenes of crumbled buildings and shattered lives. Together, both brother and sister stared out the glass with expressions of deep thought. Zim yawned and stretched as he started to wake up. He opened his eyes to Gaz and Dib standing in front of his window. He didn't say anything, just slowly got off the couch and approached them cautiously. The two siblings didn't acknowledge his presence until he politely coughed. Dib and Gaz quickly turned around to face the little green-skinned boy. Dib almost knew Zim was going to either yell at them or destroy them, but before he could say anything his stomach talked for him. For that matter, Gaz's stomach growled too.

"Hungry?" Zim asked nonchalantly. Not knowing exactly how to respond, the siblings nodded. "Gir."

"Yes my master," Gir said as he quickly ran up and saluted, eyes glowing red.

"Bring them to some human filth food," Zim said loudly.

"Okie dokey," Gir said eyes changing back to their usual sky blue. He walked into the kitchen motioning for the humans to follow. Dib and Gaz walked into the weird eating area and stood by the door, watching the little robot take food items and drinks from the refrigerator.

"You want tacos, cupcakes, waffles, pizza, or um bacon," Gir said placing all the variety of foods on the table.

"I'll take the pizza," Gaz said picking up a slice.

"I guess I'll have waffles," Dib said grabbing the short stack.

"Yeah I get tacos," the sir cried. As they began eating, Zim walked in and stood by the door. He couldn't help but feel sick. How could they eat that stuff? Dib had the feeling he was being watched and glanced up at where Zim was standing.

"What's wrong, this food's not poisoned is it?" Dib asked suspiciously.

"What, No. Don't be silly," Zim scoffed at the thought of even touching human food let alone try and poison it.

"Well anyway, I guess we better go, you being bent on world domination and all," Dib said standing up slowly.

"Not anymore," Zim mumbled sadly more to himself than anything.

"What did you say," Dib and Gaz both shouted giving Zim an odd expression. Zim, seeing that this could lead to unwanted questioning, quickly shrugged off the comment.

"Nothing, just eat your food and leave," Zim ordered pointing at their plates and then to the door. There was a long awkward silence before Gir finally broke the tension by turning up the TV.

"News Flash *beep, beep, beep* News Flash *beep, beep, beep*," the broadcasting system announced flashing bold black print on a white background. Curious, Zim, Dib, and Gaz came into the living room and were instantly shocked. The word Invasion scrolled across the screen. Then a news reporter's voice broke in over the speaker. "There seems to be an Invasion of an enormous proportion occurring as I speak. The government has issued a warning, this is the first time a disaster of this magnitude has ever happened. I mean all weapons and communication is cut off from the east coast to the western part of the country. Stay inside, and bunker down, but remain calm..." Suddenly the reporter's broadcast was cut off sharply and the screen was replaced by snow. Then to everyone's surprise again, especially Zim's, was a picture of the Irken symbol fading in with the words Surrender Now! Written at the bottom. Dib glared at the picture box, then quickly turned his raging eyes on Zim.

"Now I see, You Rotten Alien MONSTER!" he shouted in anger. Zim looked at Dib and knew he was in for trouble.

"Look Dib-human, I'm just as shocked as you," Zim spat. Obviously, Dib didn't believe him as his face grew red with fury.

"Your gonna pay, you and your alien scum buddies," Dib yelled charging at Zim with his hands reaching for the irken's neck. Zim quickly sidestepped out of the way as Dib trampled by. However, with great agility, Dib quartered back and made another attempt on Zim's life. With equal agility, Zim leapt out of the way onto the couch.

"Listen to me,...wait just let me talk...," the green one tried to explain while dodging the pale boy's attacks. Gaz, in seeing that her brother was going to hurt himself, quickly grabbed the blanket from their previous sleeping spot and ran at Dib. Being in his blind rage Dib didn't see her come up behind him with the sheet nor did he expect her action. She threw the blanket over him trapping him in the cloth, then with a quick push she got him to the ground. She then grabbed the ends forming a bag and then swiftly knotted the top. Dib struggled madly within the sheet screaming and yelling.

"Now explain yourself, and it better be good or I'll release him," Gaz growled at Zim. The little irken re-composed himself, brushing off dust, and walked over to where she and the shouting bag were.

"I don't have to tell you anything," Zim started but noticed Gaz loosen the knot," However, I will." Gaz smiled. "I don't really know what's happing, I was relieved of my duties of conquering this ball of mud..."

"Zim, I'm going to wring your little green neck!" Dib shouted. Zim continued ignoring the threat.

"Why would my Tallest do this, I don't know. It was my job, My Job, and now this," he sounded angry, confused, and distressed all at once.

"How do we know you're not lying," Dib shouted frustrated that he was trapped in a blanket.

"Look human filth, I was entrusted to take over this planet, and...," Zim trailed off. He felt hurt and betrayed that he was let go so other Invaders could take over.

"And...," Gaz said with annoyance. But before Zim could give an answer, the television screen fizzled an image of Invader Pud, sitting with his hands clasped over a desk that was more of an Irken design. If it wasn't for his green skin and two antennae he'd look British.

"Listen up Earthinoids, as of right now you are the property of the Irken Empire. Every last arsenal weapon of your planet has been reduced to ashes, thanks to Invader Qui," he said directing the picture to Qui who was taking a bow while holding a ray gun. "Every president, minister, chief, chancellor, czter, commander, leader, dictator, and an array of citizens have been taken to the skill of Invader Alem and his team," Pud said pointing in the direction of Alem who stood up against three tied up leaders. "And, of course, your inferior communication methods are downed due to me, so as your new masters, we order you to go outside your homes and offices right now, if you resist...," Pud smiled slyly.

"If you resist, I'll take care of you," Qui smiled wickedly as she pointed the ray gun at the camera. Almost like a blazing fire, Dib tore through the blanket and stared immediately at the screen.

"We have to stop them," he said absentmindedly as he quickly wiped out his laptop computer. He rapidly began typing and was quickly disappointed. He slammed the laptop.

"They did it, even the Internet's dead," Dib said coldly. Zim looked back and forth between the humans he was so use to hating and the irkens that he loved. The scowling Dib and the smirking Pud. The invaded and the invader. His canceled mission and the new takers of it. Zim's mind clicked and he had come to a decision. If they kicked him off Irk, and wanted him to stay on Earth, then fine. The little blue planet had just gained a new warrior.

*~Thanks for all the reviews guys. As you can see there are a few of my own characters in this chapter. Chapter four will be on its way soon. Please don't steal my characters either, not that anyone would, but at least no one can say I never said it.