A/N I thank all of my reviewers! You guys are great. Your support pushes me to continue this fic. Without these three amazing stories, this fic wouldn't have been created:

If Miyuki (IZ Fandom) by legi0nn

2:45 AM (IZ Fandom) by legi0nn

Shattering Ice (ATLA Fandom) by DamageCtrl

I really suggest you read them. The first two are RaMyR and the other one -for ATLA fans- is Pakkanna. I was in a rush to post this; sorry for any typos, small mistakes, etc. I don't own Invader Zim.


Chapter Nine

Turning Point


Excitement filled the air as the Great Showcase neared. Time has passed, and it was only eight days before its debut. The Great Irk Hall was being decorated by the mothers of their sixteen year-old daughters. Many chatted with each other about the future of the young Irkenettes. For many mothers, this time of year brought pride and fun. Mothers boasted and bragged about which Irkenette will be selected first, and the shameful one who will be a wife by default.

"Oh honey! I was discussing with some other mothers about how my daughter will be the first one chosen!" Miyuki's mother squealed. Miyuki sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Mom, I don't know if you've noticed, but every mother claims that. And only one of them is right," Miyuki muttered matter-of-factly. Her mother just laughed off her comment.

"Oh honey! If one of them is right, then it's possible for me to be right."

"The odds are impossible, Mom," Miyuki muttered. "And if you'll excuse me, I'm going outside." Miyuki got out of her seat and stomped towards the door.

"Miyuki, honey! Wait!" Her mother walked towards Miyuki and placed a gentle hand on her PAK. Miyuki closed her eyes and breathed heavily.

"Yeah?"

"You're upset…aren't you?" her mother asked delicately. Miyuki nodded, her eyes still shut tight. "Why?"

"Because…" Miyuki uttered. "I don't want to get married yet. I don't want to lose my friends."

"Honey, I know it's not an easy topic, but you'll get over it soon enough." That's it? Miyuki thought in disbelief. That's all my mother has to say?

"Mom! Don't you see what they're doing to us females? They're putting us on display to be chosen for our appearance and talent, nothing more! These families who select us don't care about our feelings or our true selves! They merely intend us to provide for our husband, because it's an 'Irkenette's duty.' It's sexist and I hate it!" Miyuki yelled. She opened her eyes, frowned, and ran out of the house. Her mother just shook her head and sighed.

"Why does she have to make things so difficult? Most Irkenettes dream of the day they're betrothed…"

"Why doesn't anyone agree with me?" Miyuki asked herself quietly as she began to pace herself. "Everyone thinks I'm just a hindrance to Irken society…a rebel." She sighed heavily. "Maybe I am a rebel. Maybe that's what it means to be a female who speaks her mind and can think for herself." Miyuki closed her eyes and let the tears fall. Her heart struggled with uncontrollable bursts of rage and fear.

"Are you okay?" a familiar voice asked in the distance. Miyuki wiped her eyes and shifted to face Red.

"Yeah…" Miyuki uttered. "I'm cool…" Red approached her and raised a brow.

"Really? 'Cause you look as if you've been crying," Red mumbled slowly. Miyuki hanged her head and sighed. "Come with me. I need to talk to you about something." She looked up into Red's ruby eyes and nodded. He lead her to the playground and the two sat in a picnic table.

"So what's on your mind?" Miyuki asked.

"Well first of all, why were you crying?" Red asked. He heard Miyuki release a soft sigh and she stared down.

"Well…because…" Miyuki paused. "Never mind…you'll think it's stupid." Red gazed at Miyuki, who hugged herself and continued to look away.

"I don't think anything you have to say is stupid," Red told her. "Tell me. I'll try to be open-minded." Miyuki shook her head.

"No. Everyone is against me on this subject…nobody understands me," Miyuki spat out gently. Red could comfort her by stating he did understand her, but it would only be a lie. Miyuki was actually the only person he didn't understand. Purple, Tak, and Tenn could be read like a book. Miyuki, however, was a mystery to him…but only made him love her more.

"Miyuki, I hate to see you like this," Red confessed. "Please tell me." Miyuki sighed and swung her head to face Red.

"Alright…but you'll most likely disagree with my opinions…" Miyuki muttered. "Do you think it's wrong of me…to not look forward to getting married?" Red pondered over this; he wanted to prove to Miyuki he would actually put her words in thought.

"I don't think it's wrong to think that," Red told her. "Maybe you feel you're not ready for such a huge step." He mentally sighed; if Miyuki wasn't ready to be wed, would it affect his chances of winning her?

"Thank you for actually agreeing with me," Miyuki sighed gratefully. "Also…" She paused.

"What is it?"

"Well…I just detest how my role in society as an Irkenette is so…demeaning." Red's antennas twitched.

"Why do you think your role is demeaning? You are a highly ranked Irkenette!" Red protested. Miyuki shook her head once again.

"Not that…" she said. "But I mean…being a female. The destiny for every Irkenette is to serve, behave, and do as your told. We have to marry someone who we cannot choose; we must forcibly do anything our husband asks for. We have no freedom once we are betrothed. We cannot play an active role in politics or select our careers. Our future is set in stone with our gender, and we are not supposed to defy it. I just can't stand how I have no control…that I'm just another Irkenette for society to step on and demean…" Red's eyes grew wide at Miyuki's powerful words. "Everyone thinks I'm rebellious for thinking this way…so…do you?" Miyuki sighed and waited to hear the three-letter word that would be "no surprise" to her ears.

"No," Red told her. He had gone through Miyuki's words dozens of times in his thoughts. I never actually thought of that…I never realized that this is how Miyuki felt…and…she is right. Every single word she has spoken to me…is true. Now I realize her genuine feelings on the whole subject of being a Irkenette…

"Wha…what?" Miyuki asked softly, not quite sure she heard right.

"I completely agree with you," Red stated. "So…do you think I'm crazy for doing so?" Miyuki smiled with relief and shook her head.

"No…I'm really glad you told me that," Miyuki said. "I just can't believe there is someone who believes Irkenette's roles in society are pretty much nothing, and that something should be done about it." Red nodded sympathetically.

"Immediately," Red agreed. He stood up and Miyuki followed his example.

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?" Miyuki asked Red as the two began to walk side by side. "Or was there something else?" Red began to feel himself grow hot. Should I tell her? I mean now that I'm actually here…I don't think I can bring myself to say those three little words that mean so much… Red scoped the area; the two were alone.

"Miyuki…" Red began, choking slightly.

"Yes?" Red gazed into her eyes, her dazzling, brilliant eyes. They appeared so innocent, yet those eyes could express rage and brutality in the most extreme conditions.

"I…" he paused. Do it! Just spill it out! Blurt it all at once! It gets more difficult if you keep delaying… Red thought to himself discontentedly. On impulse, Red grasped Miyuki and pulled her towards him.

"Red what are you-" but Miyuki was interrupted by Red's warmth of his lips. She closed her eyes, too confused to think. How was she supposed to react? This was all so sudden…so unexpected. For a split second, there was a moment of passion between the two. Gradually, they both pulled away silently and Miyuki stared into Red's eyes.

"I…uh…guess actions speak louder than words…" Red blushed. Miyuki blinked; she finally got the message.

"Red…" Miyuki whispered. "I…I don't know. I mean…this is all happening so fast…I'm not sure if-"

"It's okay," Red interrupted. "I just wanted to let you know how I feel. You don't-" He choked. "You don't have to love me back, but like I mentioned before, I just wanted to let you know." Miyuki nodded.

"Red…I'm not saying that I don't love you, but I'm not saying that I do love you. I just need some time to myself…that's all," Miyuki told him. Red bobbed his head in response.

"Take as much time as you need," he told Miyuki. Secretly, he hoped she would hurry. If she was undecided once the Great Showcase started, his hopes and dreams could be crushed then and there.

"Thank you," Miyuki smiled and gave Red a quick embrace, which he cherished. "I'll see you later." Red sighed as he watched his one true love fading far past the horizon.


"You can either accept the destiny forced upon you, or you can make a stand. You have the power to bring about change and to do something about this…this given fate." Tenn pondered over Miyuki's moving words. "And if both of you would just rather throw your lives away instead of fighting for the one you love, then so be it." Tenn sighed; rebelling against society could have unforgiving consequences. But… Tenn thought. But maybe…maybe it's worth it…to rebel…to fight…in order to have…and to hold…the one you desire most…

"No," Tenn shook her head. "It's not in an Irkenette's duty to think such silly thoughts. I am just an Irkenette…I cannot do anything to improve my situation." Miyuki's words echoed in her head. "You can either accept the destiny forced upon you, or you can make a stand. You have the power to bring about change and to do something about this…this given fate…-And if both of you would just rather throw your lives away instead of fighting for the one you love, then so be it."

"But taking that chance is doubtful…" Tenn whispered. A lady must serve, behave, and do as she's told… Tenn's father had told her. "But…" She paused. "Taking that chance is promising." Tenn yanked furiously on her antennas due to frustration. Argh! What am I supposed to do? Do I listen to Miyuki or my father?

"I'm so lost!" Tenn yelled to herself. "I cannot tell right from wrong! What am I supposed to believe? Who am I supposed to trust? What do I do?" Tenn huddled up on her bed as tears streamed violently down her cheeks.

"Something wrong, honey?" Tenn could hear her mother from outside her room.

"Nothing…" Tenn told her. "I'm alright."

"No, a mother can always tell. Something is bothering you. Let me in; I want you to explain to me what's troubling you." Tenn sighed in defeat as she hesitatingly opened her bedroom door.

"Mom…" Tenn began. "I'm confused." Her mother sat beside Tenn on the bed.

"About what?" Tenn thought about what to say. She didn't want to let her mother in on her personal dilemma.

"Well…I have this…tight situation…and I'm not sure what to believe. My friend says one thing, but my other friend opposes her. Now I have to take a side on their contrasting opinions…but…" Tenn paused.

"But…what dear?"

"I thought I agreed with my other friend, but my first friend's opinion is starting to appeal to me. I'm just not sure who is right and who is wrong, and what to believe." Tenn watched her mother zone into deep concentration and thought. Her mother gave a warmhearted smile and a gentle squeeze.

"Tenn…just believe what your heart tells you to believe. Trust in yourself, and you will find the answer." Tenn received a light kiss on the forehead before her mom left her to her thoughts.

"Trust in myself and I will find the answer…" Tenn murmured as she lied down on her mattress. She closed her eyes and let sleep take her adrift.


"Wow Tak," Skoodge gaped in awe. "Zim has been making major improvements lately. I didn't think you, or anyone, could train him so well. He's going to pass that examination for sure! That is…if he doesn't let it all go to his head."

"Yeah," Tak said in disinterest. Her mind was astray, hearing Miyuki's words echo in her thoughts.

"You know, when are you going to take the offensive?" Skoodge asked Tak, who zoned back to Irk.

"What?" Tak asked. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, I know you're crazy for Zim. When are going to step to the plate and try to win him?" Skoodge asked.

"I've been thinking…" Tak mumbled. "That maybe I should just give up on that." Skoodge's eyes grew wide.

"Give up?" he asked in astonishment. "But you've been in love with him for a long time!"

"Yeah but there's no possibility of us being together, so what's the point?" Tak asked. "Let's face it, my whole infatuation is meaningless."

"I don't think that's so," Skoodge replied. "Maybe the chance of you two being together is unlikely, but that shouldn't stop you. If you set your mind to something, you can achieve through determination and hard work."

"You don't understand," Tak hissed. "Society separates us. How is it possible for me to extend my hands out to someone who is beyond reach?"

"I don't know," Skoodge confessed. "But if you truly love Zim, you won't just throw him away. You would fight for him, because he's the one you love." Tak's eyes bulged. "And if both of you would just rather throw your lives away instead of fighting for the one you love, then so be it…" Miyuki's words came back to haunt her.

"But…" Tak began.

"No buts," Skoodge told her. "If you truly care for Zim, you'd make a stand." "You can either accept the destiny forced upon you, or you can make a stand. You have the power to bring about change and to do something about this…this given fate." Tak sighed and pondered over the situation.

"I thought you were willing to take the challenge that is Zim," Skoodge shrugged. "Ah well, guess you're not." Skoodge began to trot away, leaving Tak to herself. She gritted her teeth, then opened her eyes in discovery.

"Maybe…" she whispered to herself. "Maybe Miyuki was right. Maybe I can make a stand. Maybe I can make a change. Maybe Zim can be mine."


"What a day…" Miyuki sighed as she opened the front door of her home. Standing with an ecstatic smile was her mother.

"Miyuki…" her mother uttered cheerily. Miyuki raised a brow, bewildered at her mother's sudden happiness.

"Yes Mom?" Miyuki asked as she closed the door behind her.

"I have some very exciting news!" her mom squealed.

"What is it?"

"You have an engagement to Spork!" Miyuki's mouth gaped and her body grew stiff. "Isn't that great?" Miyuki's mother's words brushed past her. Finally, they began to process in her head.

"I'm…I'm…I'm…" Miyuki stuttered.

"I know!" her mother beamed proudly. "It's amazing! He belongs to a high ranking family and…" Before she could speak another word, Miyuki fainted.


A/N LOL Miyuki…well who wouldn't faint? The ending of this chapter was an idea from Shattering Ice, but I apologize it was a short ending. Things are really starting to tense up in the story, so get ready. I thank all my supporters for reading and reviewing! Thank you so much! This will be on hiatus and will be updated in either June or July.