Dlbn: Hey everyone! And welcome to another chapter of Supreme Dissolution!

Nbld: We were so tired on Monday that we didn't have time or energy to finish writing this chapter before we fell asleep. Then there were distractions on top of distractions due to stupid people bothering the hell out of us.

Dlbn: And distractions got in the way yesterday, too. Namely "Yugioh The Abridged Series" videos. ^^" So this chapter is later then we planned. But for us, it's only an hour and a half late. (1:30 a.m. on Wednesday here.)

Nbld: But no more excuses! Time for the Review Corner! Thank you to invadermakayla, Achlys, kitty Tokyo uzumaki, Lolibeagle, and Princess-Of-Your-Doom95 for reviewing! Rainbow decorations for you all!

Invadermakayla: You're welcome :3 He's just trying to protect him by not telling him. But he shouldn't keep it all secret. Too much weight on his shoulders :/

Achlys: Both are pretty shocking. I think Gaz more so, since she normally just doesn't care. That's true. I can't even get my boyfriend to talk like that with me sometimes. But my friend Sean will tell you what he's thinking and feeling right then and there, so I guess it depends on the person. He's being a bit of a martyr, yes, but he doesn't really see it that way.

Kitty Tokyo uzumaki: That she is ^^ Yeah, he's really got it hard at this point in time. He wants to keep Dib worry free, but keeping him in the dark isn't good either.

Lolibeagle: Lol nice XD Yup, she really does have a heart deep down ^^ Or maybe she just thinks that since Zim can keep her brother happy, he's a good person. Naw, she has a heart :3

Princess-Of-Your-Doom95: Tehe that he is! :3 I don't think there's anyone else she could see with her brother, really. And she and Zim are close enough that they're like family already. I mean, they live in the same house, after all ;) Haha, I didn't even think of Tak XD But nice idea! ^^ Aw loves you toos! :3

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Invader Zim or any related characters/places/themes/species. I DO however, own the Universal Council, Keyvine/Krill, the Slerks, the members of the Slerk race, and Keyvine/Krill's computer and SIR. I make NO money off of this work of fiction.

000

Gaz didn't bring up her discussion with Zim to her brother any of the times she'd seen him. At least, that's what Zim was convinced, since Dib hadn't mentioned it to him throughout the day. The GLASS meeting began on time that day, which was pretty unusual. Keef began counting the money as soon as the clock struck 3:30; the school's agreed upon meeting time for clubs. All clubs had to start by a certain time, but Keef would help the others fake a beginning of a GLASS meeting if teachers happened to come by when the meeting was starting late. They hadn't been caught yet, which was good; since they tended to start at least 15 minutes past the three thirty p.m. starting time.

After counting the money once, Keef recounted it. He made records on paper so he wouldn't screw himself up by remembering one pile's total while calculating the other's total at the same time. He'd made sure everyone, including Keyvine, stayed away from him while he did his work. He didn't want anyone giving out 'spoiled alerts', or something along those lines. Once he counted each pile of money at least three times, he smiled at the other members.

"Alright, the totals are in!" He said, smiling widely.

He didn't say anything again for a moment or two.

"Well?" Gretchen wondered, growing as impatient as the others were.

"Who do you think won?" Keef asked.

"No one wants to play this game, Keef." Gaz said. "Stop wasting our time so we can begin planning today."

Keef smiled. "Well, the winner of the Girls V.S. Boys Pre-Prom Location Party Competition is…"

"Just tell us, Keef!" Gaz snarled.

"Okay! So the party will be held at…Keyvine's house." Keef said. "Which means that the boys won, and get to choose the theme!"

Dib, Melvin, and Dirge all seemed pretty happy with themselves. Surprisingly, though they lost, the girls and tow Irkens weren't very disappointed. At least they didn't show it.

"How much did we make total, Keef?" Zim wondered, asking the question everyone was secretly wondering.

"Combined?" Keef wondered. "We made a total of three hundred and twenty dollars."

"Seriously?!" Most of the members practically shouted back at him.

Keef grabbed onto the lectern in front of him as if he were being blown away by their combined voices. "Yes, yes, seriously!" Keef giggled. "There were a lot of baked goods, and we worked our fingers to the pruning stage with all the cars we did. I'm not surprised it went so well. Some people even gave donations when they found out why we were doing it."

Dib chuckled at that, seeming to know something that the others didn't. Keef gave him a warning look, but it was short lived.

"So it's up to the guys to decide what the theme is. But we all have to pitch in to decorate." Keef said.

"Uh…I think the girls, Zim, and I should handle the decorating, Babe." Keyvine said.

"We already lost, Keyvine, and the punishment is having the party at your house." Gaz informed him.

"I know." Keyvine replied. "But there's some…things at my house I don't want being destroyed…"

"And your Computer doesn't want to pick up after us!" Gretchen added in.

"Yeah…that too." Keef said through gritted teeth.

Zim chuckled a little bit.

"Okay, hon, if you insist." Keef giggled. "So I guess we decide on a theme, now." He leaned on the lectern, holding his chin in one hand. "Any proposals?"

No one said anything.

"Oh come on!" Keef ordered. "Throw out the first idea that comes into your head!" He dramatically waved his other arm. "Even if it sucks!"

Dib shrugged, throwing caution to the wind. "Aliens?"

Everyone stared at him funny.

"Based on what's happened around here, with the alien hoax, do you really think that's a good idea?" Melvin wondered.

"He said 'first idea that comes into your head'." Dib shrugged. "And I believe he also said, 'even if it sucks'."

Keef nodded. "I did say that. But that one was just horrible with a capital idea."

"What?" Keyvine asked, between his laughter.

"I don't know." Keef shrugged. "Next idea!"

"How about Cupid or something?" Melvin wondered. "Since most of us are going with dates…"

"That's a Valentine's Day thing." Gaz pointed out, not looking up from her game.

"Silence from the losing team!" Keef slammed his fist onto the lectern.

Gaz gave him a death glare that made him shy away from her.

"Any other suggestions?" Keef squeaked.

Keyvine lightly slapped Gaz's arm to shake her from her glare at his frightened boyfriend, which made her glare turn to him instead. Silence reigned in the room for a few minutes.

"Well…considering what's happened…" Dirge offered slowly. "Maybe we should do something about rebirth or rebuilding…?"

"Hm…I think we've had enough of rebuilding, don't you think?" Keef wondered tapping a finger on his chin.

Apparently not having Gaz's glare on him anymore shot him right back to 'Normal Keef' mode. Though 'normal' wasn't a word fit to describe Keef in any way, shape, or form.

Dirge shrugged.

"What about space?" Dib offered.

"Again with this stuff?" Gaz wondered. "Why not suggest Werewolves or Vampires next?"

Dib gave her a look. "Hey, we're trying over here." He said. "You're not."

"It's not our decision, babe." Zim informed.

Keef giggled. "He's right, Dibbers."

"Dibbers?" Dib cocked an eyebrow. "Uh…okay, then, Keef…"

Even Gaz was snickering at the redhead's choice for a nickname.

"Come on! This is serious!" Keef argued. "We have to come up with a theme today so we can start getting decorations and stuff!"

"Prom's another month away. I think we have time." Zim told him.

"Well, yes, but it's better to start now. Especially if our theme is popular or out of season."

"Why would we want a popular theme?" Dib wondered. "We're not exactly popular ourselves, and…"

"Speak for yourself." Morla snorted. "You're still part of the popular crowd."

"Okay, fine. But our sexuality isn't the popular decision." Dib added to his argument.

No one argued with that.

"He has a point." Zim threw in his opinion.

"Fine, fine, whatever." Keef huffed.

"Isn't the symbol for this club a Rainbow?" Melvin wondered.

"Yeah, and?" Keef asked.

"Let's do something rainbow related, then." Melvin went on. "I mean, it doesn't have to be 'rainbow', but something related. Like rainbows are associated with rain, and Leprechauns, and gold…"

"That's it!" Keef grinned.

"What's it?" Dib wondered.

"Melvin hit the nail on the head! Rainbows are definitely a must for us. I mean, the cups and plates and stuff for snacks and drinks are going to be rainbow anyway, so there goes that." Keef explained. "Why not incorporate that into a theme that matches? Not Leprechauns, but luck!"

"Luck?" Zim wondered, cocking an eyebrow.

How Keef decided that was a perfect them would be interesting to learn.

"Well, yeah! Think about it." Keef said. "Our town has had a slew of bad luck. The meteors, Simmons going crazy, half the town being destroyed…We could use some good luck, you know? Why not bring it in through a celebration? Think about it! We can have rainbows and pots of gold hanging around, and horseshoes, too! Those are good luck symbols, no?" He tapped a finger on his chin, thinking over the validity of his statement. "So we can have that stuff hanging around, and make our table cloths be rainbows!"

"I thought plates and cups were rainbow." Zim responded.

"We'll make them green or something. Maybe we can find Leprechaun cups and plates?"

"And how do you expect to do that?" Gaz wondered. "Get white cups and plates, and give me a Sharpie to draw on them with?"

"Probably not a sharpie. We don't want the ink getting into the food."

Keyvine held his head in his hand. "I can't believe you made that statement." He muttered. "It was sarcasm, babe!"

"I can't believe you picked up on that." Zim responded.

Keyvine gave him a look as Dib laughed.

"Any-who! Maybe we could just get white cups, then? Too much of a certain pattern can be tacky…" Keef said. "What do you guys think?"

"I can't think of anything else." Melvin shrugged.

"I'm okay with it." Dirge agreed.

"No arguments." Dib added.

"Sounds good to me, babe." Keyvine spoke up.

"No comments from the losing side!" Keef informed, pointing at his boyfriend. "So, from the winning side, all in agreement?"

The others raised their hands.

"And all opposed?"

No one raised their hands.

"Alright, it's settled!" Keef giggled. "Our theme is 'luck'! So who's going to get what?"

"I guess we should all go together and get the stuff?" Gretchen wondered. "Maybe we could go this weekend?"

Keef thought for a moment. "Sounds like a good idea to me." He said. "Anyone opposed?"

No one spoke up.

"Then it's settled! This Saturday, we will go shopping for theme-related items." Keef smiled.

Before anyone could speak up, a slight beeping sound resounded throughout the room. It sounded like a cell phone was either going off because an alarm had been set, or that there was an incoming text or phone call. Everyone looked around for the source.

"Alright, who left their phone on?" Keef wondered.

Keyvine looked pale for a moment. "Um…I think it's mine." He said. "I'll go answer in the hall. Zim, come with?" He grabbed Zim by the arm without waiting for the younger Irken to answer him. "Great, let's go."

"H-Hey!" Zim protested, though it did no good.

Once they were in the hallway, Keyvine began bringing Zim down the hall with him.

"What's the big idea, Krill?" Zim wondered, yanking his arm from the other male's grip.

"You're Irken." Keyvine replied. "You should know what that sound is."

The sound ended abruptly as Zim gave Keyvine a look that said he didn't know.

"My PAK just received a message?"

"So?"

"From the Empire."

Zim instantly paled. "Oh." He said. "Well…? Are you going to accept it?"

"I think so." Keyvine shrugged. "I mean, by now, whoever it was must have just left a message."

"Well, the beeping stopped, so I assumed so." Zim responded. "Open it, I wanna know."

Keyvine nodded and reached to his back. He pressed the red buttons on his back in a specific order-upper, lower left, lower right, upper, upper, lower left-and his PAK popped open. Though Zim couldn't see it because of the hologram Keyvine wore, he could still hear the noises it made and see the flashing lights as the spots on the PAK were pressed. A robotic arm with what looked like a webcam popped from his PAK and landed in front of his face. Zim joined his side to get a better viewing angle as a holographic image was formed from the camera. The image that was displayed was of a tall Irken. She wore what looked like metal robes and hovered slightly off of the ground. Her blue eyes were lit up in frustration, and her curled antennae were pressed flat against her head in annoyance. Zim knew that look pretty well, as she gave it to him almost every day.

"Mom?" Zim wondered.

Sure enough, it was Tallest Miyuki in all her glory. Her arms were folded over her chest, albeit a bit awkwardly because of the gauntlets on her arms. She had two fingers on each hand; the ones on her left hand drumming on the right gauntlet in annoyance.

"Can I start now?" She asked someone out of viewing range.

They gave back a muffled response.

"Good." She responded. She turned back to the camera she was apparently looking at. Her antennae lifted up slightly in salute before falling back down. "Irken Soldier." She greeted. "It has come to the attention of myself and the Irken Armada that you have not reported in for several months now from your assigned station on Slerka. As we have received no stress signal, self destruct signal, or any contact from the Slerks regarding your existence since the time of your absence, you have been determined to be of M.I.A. Desertion Level clearance." She seemed worn out as she sighed. "With the disappearance of my son a few months prior to your leaving, you can understand how flustered and unsettled I have been over the past few months. Knowing that one of our own has mysteriously vanished, but whose PAK can still receive a call, has not helped my mood. Simply put, this is irritating, Invader Krill."

Keyvine gulped, afraid of what she was going to say next.

"As of this moment, I shall issue you an ultimatum. Either you report in and tell me where you are, or I will label you as a Complete Desertion Level. As such, you will be the subject of many Bounty Hunters' attentions. Should this occur and you try to return home to Irk, here to the safety of the Massive, or to any planet owned by the Irken Empire, you will be terminated. Simply put, either report in, or you will be permanently labeled with Complete Desertion Level and thus banished from the Empire."

Keyvine gulped harder, knowing he was in deep trouble now.

"This is your final warning. Report in like a good little soldier, or force me to do the unthinkable. I cannot afford to lose another Irken, do you understand?" She sighed and looked around. "I'm not sure if you are aware of Zim's disappearance-since he left after you did and I'm fairly certain you were using him for your own desires-but it has been a trying year and a half. I have spent this time looking for him frantically, but to no avail. If you know where he is, or are with him currently, and I find out, I will through you on your knees in front of the Universal Council with no PAK. I will declare to the Council that not only was Operation Impending Doom all your doing, but that you are personally and directly responsible for the destruction of the following races."

A list of about a dozen species flowed across the message's viewing area, but Zim didn't have time to read them all. He did catch 'Vort' in there, however. Though Vort was the doing of Invader Scoodge; a short Irken that Zim had basically befriended while he was on leave.

"Do you understand me, Invader Krill?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. "If I find out that you have been harboring Zim or know where he is and failed to alert the empire, I will put you on the chopping block. I can talk the military officials and civilians both into vouching for my claims, and don't think that I won't."

Zim felt like crying. How could his mother be so heartless? First off, Keyvine had never used Zim for anything. And second, Zim was technically the one harboring Keyvine, since Zim was on Earth first. Third, there was no reason for her to do something like that to one of her own soldiers! Zim's clenched fists were trembling with rage. How could she do this? It wasn't right! And Gaz wondered what Zim's real reasoning behind wanting to stop the Armada was. Zim hadn't known that his mother could be this way towards her own kind as well, but still. If she would do this to her own soldier, there was no telling what she'd do to anyone else.

"So in summation, I give you another chance." Miyuki went on. "Report in within 72 hours, or I will declare you Complete Desertion Level and banish you from the Empire. In addition, if you know where Zim is and/or are hiding him from the Empire and myself, I will blame the Operation and the destruction of twelve different species on you alone." She said. "I trust you will make the right decision. And soon. 72 hours. That is all." A smile. "Goodbye, Invader Krill. I hope to hear from you soon."

The image garbled out into static as the message ended. The arm retracted into Keyvine's PAK, and his PAK closed to prevent anything from getting in or out. Neither Irken spoke for a minute.

"Are you going to be okay?" Zim wondered.

"Uh huh." Keyvine replied numbly.

"Are you sure?"

"Nuh uh."

Zim put a hand on his shoulder. They stood together in silence for a few minutes before either spoke again.

"What are you going to do?" Zim wondered.

"If I call in, she might declare full-scale war on Slerka, and Earth as well." Keyvine said. 'But if I don't call in, she'll banish me and label me the highest desertion level you can go."

Zim nodded. "I know."

"…Perhaps I should discuss this with Keef later on tonight…"

"Okay." Zim nodded. "Sounds like a good idea."

"Alert Dib of the situation, too?"

"Sure thing."

"I'm going to go home. Tell them I had an emergency, but don't specify. Tell Keef and Dib later when no one else is around."

"Okay, I will."

"Bye." Keyvine slowly walked down the hallway towards the front doors.

Zim watched him exit the building before heading back towards the meeting.

"Where's Keyvine?" Keef asked, as Zim entered the room alone.

"He had a family emergency to attend to." Zim said. "He went home to talk more privately to his family about it."

"Oh…okay…" Keef seemed upset. "He didn't even stop in to say goodbye."

"It was really important, Keef, sorry. He wants to talk to you tonight, though." Zim took his seat next to Dib.

"Oh, okay." Keef beamed. "What's next on the agenda, Dirge?"

As the others began talking, Dib grabbed Zim's hand in his own and interlaced their fingers.

"Is everything okay?" Dib wondered.

"No, it's really bad." Zim responded. "I'll explain later."

Dib nodded.

"What's going on?" Gaz whispered to the lovers.

Zim started to speak, but he was interrupted.

"Hey! Are you three paying attention over there?" Keef asked, pointing to them with his index finger.

"Of course we are, Keef." Dib lied.

"Uh huh. Then what did I just say, Gaz?"

"You asked if we were paying attention." Gaz snorted.

The others laughed.

"What was the point I made before that?" Keef asked.

"Uh…" Zim trailed.

"Exactly." Keef nodded. "Please, pay attention to meeting! No side conversations! Now, Dirge, repeat what you said, please?"

Zim zoned out for a few mintues. Dib could fill him in later. All Zim could think about was his mother's words. She was worried about him, and that was understandable. But to threaten Krill like that, simply because he might know where Zim was and just hadn't said anything to her? That was cruel. And considering the circumstances with the Slerks, it was no surprise that Krill didn't to say anything to her. Plus, he'd be in trouble for abandoning his post. Which he still would be in trouble for, if he called her to answer and avoid being Banished and labeled. It seemed like there was a negative for Krill, no matter what he chose. Zim looked Keef over as he laughed at a joke Gretchen cracked. What would he do when he found out that his boyfriend was in life threatening danger from Zim's mother? And that Zim couldn't stop her without revealing where he was? But more importantly, what was Krill going to do? 72 hours wasn't enough time to make a decision, let alone the best one. But he had to make it soon, and fast, if he was hoping to stick around until Prom.