Disclaimer: I don't own Invader Zim
So I almost crawled under a rock again… except my brother smacked me upside the head and scolded me lol.
I guess people are worried that my story won't have a happy ending, well you're gonna have to read the story to find out XD I know that sounds mean, but I can't spoil it for you, I hate it when people spoil things for me. Honestly, last chapter gave me a bit of a headache, so I'm glad there were people who liked it. I'm not good with drama. I avoid it at all costs and it gave me a slight headache writing the previous chapter.
Anyways, thanks for the reviews! On with the stories!
Irkens normally don't care for any other being; it's practically impossible. What humans consider friendship, Irkens consider alliances. So it surprises me how much he's willing to risk just to keep her with him. Only the Tallest receives such devotion and adoration along with loyalty and pride for the Empire. They normally never give any admiration to anyone else.
Their bond is unique, but that doesn't mean it's not strong. Individually, they are violent beings; lovers of destruction and bringers of doom. But together they create stable and organized madness. Together they bring chaos and demand respect and fear from all those they encounter.
Maybe it was wrong of me not to believe her when she told me her feelings for him. And as cliché as it sounds, they're good for one another. The Empire will grow stronger in their hands, and much of the universe will continue to fall, but the Earth is safe.
All because he fell in love with her.
Watching him cradle her in his arms, that insufferable smirk of his somehow seemed warmer, softer and loving. Then it became devious when she whispered something to him with a mischievous look on her face. Yes, they're very good for each other. Their bond will surpass everything that opposes it. And someday, I want to find that with someone too.
Tak applied more healing gel as she stood inside one of the many washrooms and watched as the bruse began disappearing at a faster rate. Irkens healed faster than other species, but for someone who preferred physiologically torturing her victims over physically beating them, Gaz seriously knew how to bring pain. It wasn't like Tak had expected a "thank-you", but a little cooperation in the ambush would've been nice. Actually, anything other than being thrown against the wall and nearly beaten would've been fantastic! Gaz had lived on the Massive for almost half a year as some toy for Zim to flaunt in Dib's face and the ambush was a perfect moment for revenge.
Instead, the girl had attacked, threatened and nearly beaten Tak into a bloody pulp once she heard of the "pointless revenge" as it was so eloquently put. Prisoners didn't become violent towards their rescuers (although Gaz beating up Dib made Tak wonder), and they definitely didn't threaten to bring pain for attempting to harm the one keeping them against their will. Tak shook her head, behind the hatred and fury (which was not directed towards Zim), there was a sort of… protectiveness in the girl's eyes, and it unsettled Tak to the farthest reaches of her PAK.
Dib had mentioned that Gaz had lived comfortably on the Massive before they were caught sabotaging Zim's machine, and that the circumstances had possibly changed since then. But Gaz looked healthy, strong and just the slightest bit peaceful. There was also the matter of that Irken, Mek, calling Gaz his Queen. There were no Queen's on Irk, only the Tallest(s) and even they bowed down to the Control Brains. Had Zim made Gaz his Queen and somehow Tak had missed it?
She shook her head again, looking away from the mirror and heading towards her room; Tak had kept tabs on Zim for years and even now she knew of all the major things happening within the Empire so that possibility was out. That meant Mek was the only lead she had at figuring out why he had risked his own life to try to save Gaz; loyalty like that could never be forced after all. Especially in an Irken… did that mean it was instinctive?
She stopped in the middle of the hallway. Lightly touching her PAK, Tak recalled the years where she had studied how Zim had managed to transform from an incompetent and brash invader-wannabe to a cunning and capable soldier. She had spent months researching and when she found the answer, Tak had attempted to steal the machine and blueprints from Professor Membrane only to find everything, besides a few basic notes, gone. Zim had probably destroyed it to make sure no one else could recreate it and just happened to miss the notes which Tak had used and created a prototype with. It was nothing compared to the one she had helped Dib make, but she had used it anyways. By this time, Zim had become a calculating and respected leader, yet she felt no loyalty towards him. Tak had suspected her hatred for Zim overruled the natural loyalty an Irken possessed for their superiors, but unless it was announced, no Irken would ever recognize Gaz as Queen (humans were an inferior species after all).
Did that mean during her trial something had changed within her? First she would speak with Mek then Gaz; the Irken should've recovered by now. She'd have to make sure Dib didn't interfere with anything too.
"Mimi," The SIR Unit appeared by Tak's side and stood at attention, "Keep Dib busy once his sister awakens, and make sure that he doesn't arrive there before I do. If we want answers from that girl, we'll need to confront her before he does." The robot saluted and changed into its old cat holograph disguise before disappearing.
"Why do you keep your SIR Unit if you're trying to overthrow your Tallest?" She turned, giving Lard Nar an impassive look as he approached her.
"The Empire has nothing to do with my mission to defeat Zim,"
"Your ambush yesterday failed!" He screeched suddenly, "The Resisty almost outnumbered the Irken Armada and we were nearly crushed by Zim himself! And now we face the danger of him coming after us because not only did everything fail, but we have the Irken Queen!"
"Dib's sister is not the Queen! At least not till I confirm she is." Tak began marching towards the prison cells, "This Mek is someone who can clear this up for me so no one can interrupt. I doubt he'd say anything if there was someone with me."
Lard Nar stared at her for a long moment as they walked, "… Will he talk to you?"
"I'm still Irken, not to mention taller than him; I'm sure he'll give me answers."
Mek looked at the cell once more, wondering for the millionth time if there was something he could've done to save his Queen. The SIR Unit had sat in a corner in hibernation mode, but when the taller Irken named Tak was threatened it had activated and jumped to her defense. Queen Gaz was one of the best fighters Mek had ever seen; every Irken on the Massive had watched the combat practices between her and Tallest Zim (without their superiors' knowledge) and Mek knew she could've easily defeated the SIR Unit. But he hadn't counted on Tak stabbing Queen Gaz with a tranquilizing pen.
His cell door opened and the taller named Tak stepped in. Out of habit, Mek stood and waited for her to speak.
"You kept calling Gaz "Queen". Why?"
"Because she is," He replied without hesitation, "Queen Gaz is Tallest Zim's consort."
"If she was, why hasn't Zim announced to the Irken Empire? Is he so much of a coward he-"
"Tallest Zim is not a coward!" Mek interrupted hotly. "We're not sure exactly how we know, but Queen Gaz is Tallest Zim's mate and while she is lower than a Tallest, she is more than a Taller. She is our Queen and we follow her just as we follow our Tallest!"
Tak raised a nonexistent eyebrow at him, "How many of you believe this? And why do you defend Zim so strongly? He is nothing but a menace, a hazard to anyone who comes across him!"
"The Empire never progressed so greatly before Tallest Zim became ruler! And Queen Gaz involves herself with his matters! Even the Irken's on other planets or on invasions sense their greatness! All of us sense their bond and we know they are worth following!"
"You make it sound like he's great because of him, not because he's a Tallest."
Mek stood a little straighter, "Both; Tallest Zim is great because he has proven his ability and its reflected more so because of his height. He's different from all our other Tallests-"
"Most of which he's destroyed." She interrupted.
"-but none of our previous leaders would've continued combat practice, personally design and make the weapons for the Invaders and the Armada, and they wouldn't have jumped into battle to fight against our enemies." He paused, "Queen Gaz is the same. She is human, but she is both feared and respected because she's earned it."
Tak's eyes narrowed, "We'll see just how great this Tallest of yours really is once I'm thru with him. Let me know if he causes any problems." She said to the guard before leaving.
"Tak," Lard Nar called from the end of the hall, "The girl is awake."
"Show me her room, then."
Prison cells weren't supposed to be comfortable, yet Gaz found the one she'd been placed in was more of a suite than a jail. Maybe her brother had asked for it. Regardless Gaz was thankful she had a comfy bed to rest in while she played an older version of her Game Slave. Of course, the peace she felt broke the moment Tak entered the room.
"Go away Tak, I'm in the zone."
"Mek tells me you're Zim's mate." Gaz resisted the urge to roll her eyes; as if this girl was intimidating.
"And if I am?"
The she-Irken blinked, "You can't seriously believe that. Zim doesn't care about anyone! And no Irken has taken a mate in centuries so whatever he's don't to convince you otherwise-"
"You're in my light."
Tak sent the girl a glare, "Gaz, that horrible excuse of an Irken had you trapped nearly six months, infected your father with nanites that could kill him, forced your brother to help build the very device he wanted to use against your planet, not to mention-"
"Never forcing me to do anything I didn't want and promising he wouldn't hurt my dad." Gaz interrupted calmly before looking up.
Just as she had expected, Tak was staring at her in disbelief. But what caught her attention was how Tak looked; as far as Gaz knew, Irken females didn't have curves and their skin tone definitely didn't resemble anything close to a human-like tone of olive-green. Tak still wore her Irken clothing and her antennae were still curled and her eyes were still purple but there was that undertone of human just like Zim. Except it was much more noticeable.
"Looks like you tried the same thing that happened to Zim on yourself."
Tak's shocked expression became one of self-assured pride, "Glad you noticed; I've gained so much height in only the course of two days while it took Zim years and soon I'll be better than him in everything! He won't know what hit him when we finally fight each other! A brutal match to the finish where I'll- AH"
The Irken was knocked to the ground and found Gaz's boot on her chest, "I doubt you'll beat him."
Tak glared at her as Gaz walked back to the bed, "Instead of proving me wrong, you should be helping! Mek-"
"If you lay one hand on him I'll send you to a nightmare world."
Tak ignored the interruption, "Said that you're the only who comes close to matching Zim in combat. I need everything at my disposal to beat him."
Gaz didn't even look up from her Game Slave when she responded, "I'm not helping you."
"How can you not care!?" Tak demanded, "That insufferable psychotic defect is going to destroy everything if we don't stop him!"
Gaz stood up slowly, her body moving with a predator's grace that was inexplicably natural yet still unnerving and frightening. And when she lifted her face to look at Tak, the girls amber eyes blazed with scorching anger and unparalleled fury and the Irken knew no force in the universe would save her from the human before her if Tak ever crossed the line.
"Don't you ever call Zim a defect again. That was the past and now he is the greatest Tallest in Irken history! And I will destroy you if you get anywhere near him!"
Tak huffed and crossed her arms. She knew she looked like a child being reproached by their parent, but this human sent a shiver down her spine and Tak knew better than to provoke her.
"I don't even see why you care."
"Because I love him." She said simply.
Gaz raised an eyebrow as Tak gaped at her. In her opinion it wasn't that difficult to believe; Zim was full of passionate determination, intelligent confidence, endless ferocity and an unwavering resolve. And of course a touch of dangerousness mixed with a deeply hidden tenderness that he only held for her, but that was beside the point. Zim was attractive and Gaz had fallen for him. And ever since Mek started calling her Queen, she got the feeling he loved her back. Before Gaz could bring Tak out of her stupor, an annoyingly familiar voice broke the silence.
"YOU WHAT?!"
Both girls glanced at the door and found an unnerved Dib staring at them with his eyes wide and mouth dropped as he pointed at his sister in an accusatory fashion.
"You can't love that... that ALIEN! Tak, get a medic in here! I bet Zim brainwashed her and now he has some sort of mind-control device in her brain and we need to get it out before it's too late! If Gaz really does think-"
"Shut up Dib." Gaz pulled out her Game Slave and sat on the bed again, "I love Zim and I know he loves me back so you should let me go before he finds us and destroys you."
Tak scoffed, "I'm sure he'll come looking for you, but I doubt he'd be able to fight against us when he does. We've already calculated the time it'll take for him to get here and everything."
"You still won't win."
"Gaz…" Dib hesitantly reached out for her, "You need a health scan… I'm sure that whatever's convincing you that Zim actually cares-"
"He does care!" She snapped, "And there's nothing wrong with me! Zim never had guards watching me, he waited for me to accept him and he made sure I was always involved with the Empire when I wanted to be! I know he loves me so shut up!"
Dib shook his head, "I need to lie down…" He glanced at Tak when she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Go to your quarters and rest. Mimi will go with you and let you know when I'm finished."
He nodded and left the room with a small cat trailing behind him. The sound of Gaz's Game Slave sounded exceptionally loud to Tak as Dib's footsteps faded. The news of the human girl 'loving' her captor and actually believing it was real was a shock for everyone, but for Dib it was just overwhelming. Tak knew there was no way Zim could've managed to trick Gaz into loving him, she was too strong for that, but Dib would never accept it. Now he had to deal with the possibility of his little sister loving his worst enemy. She felt sorry for him.
"Looks like I'm not the only one in a human/irken relationship." Gaz said long after the footsteps had faded, causing Tak to sneer at the girl.
"We're not in a relationship. We have a common goal and we're helping each other."
"Don't lie Tak; I can see the way he looks at you and how you seem to worry about him. It's only a matter of time before you end up in the same position as Zim and I."
"Don't you compare me to that insufferable fool!" The she-Irken screeched, "If Zim does love you why hasn't he announced it to the Empire? Why hasn't he told everyone that you're the one he's chosen to stand by his side?"
"Zim's just bad at expressing his feelings!" Gaz retorted, "Which you are too since you're denying how you feel about Dib!" Tak hissed at her.
"I told you I don't have 'feelings' for your brother! And even if Zim does announce you as his Queen, I doubt you love each other."
A loud explosion rang thru the ship, causing both females to grab something to keep balance, "Looks like your 'beloved' came for you." Tak glared at the purple haired girl who merely raised an eyebrow back,
"Don't get any ideas, even if he cares a little about you he won't live to see beyond today."
Gaz's eyes widened before she suddenly rushed towards Tak who merely sealed off the room before the human reached her. They glared at each other for a few moments before the she-Irken turned and left the girl and her cries of fury and resentment behind.
Mimi quickly glanced into the room before shutting the door once she confirmed Dib had begun pouting. She made herself comfortable yet remained alert for any interruptions (although she doubted anyone would bother him) and for when he decided to leave the room.
Mimi froze when she noticed a shadowed figure approaching her and that it was… skipping? Staying in her disguise, she pounced at the figure and pinned it to the ground.
"Hello!" The badly disguised dog cooed.
Mimi narrowed her eyes and pressed her paw against his neck. This was the SIR Unit of Zim, which meant it had stowed away and she missed it, (which she doubted) or Zim had found them sooner than they planned. Her ears picked up on an explosion and she lost her hold on the robot,
"Yay! Master's gonna get Mistress Gazzy!" The robot jumped up and suddenly tackled Dib's head when he burst out of the room.
"You smell nice! You haven't played with Master in a long time! Are you gonna visit us? My piggy's at home watching Angry Monkey! Do you wanna watch too?"
Mimi watched in annoyance, and slight amusement, as Dib ran in circles and screeched in horror before she finally tripped the human and knocked Gir aside. " What the- GIR?"
"Yup! That's me!" The green dog started dancing, "We're here to get Mistress back because Master misses her and loves her lots!"
Dib's face paled and although he was vaguely aware of Mimi growling at him, more than likely annoyed he hadn't reacted yet, but he was stunned that Gir had just said Zim loved Gaz! That couldn't happen! Irkens understood what love was, but it wasn't something they comprehended! They gave up mating centuries before because cloning was more efficient! Yet not only did Gaz believe that she loved Zim and he loved her, but if it was true then that meant…
"NO!" Dib jumped up and ran down the hall, leaving the dancing robot behind and soon spotted Tak running thru the halls.
Tak ran to the Shuttle Bay of the ship, pausing only long enough to realize Dib and Mimi were by her side. "He found us faster than we calculated!" She said as they rounded a corner.
"I can't believe this!" Dib froze as they reached the room, "We… We're… Not surrounded?"
Zim stood before them alone in the center of the room, standing with sinister glare and arrogant stance. Behind him, the pair noticed a chuck of the wall being repaired, but their attention towards said wall was short-lived when Zim spoke.
"Release my mate, Tak!"
She laughed, "Your mate? She was nothing but a pawn to you; I suggest you give up now," Zim watched as Tak gestured to the aliens around the room, their weapons aimed towards him, "I'll make your end quick and painless if you do."
"Give her back now!" He growled.
"There's no way we're giving you my sister, Zim!" Dib shouted, "And once this is over, I'll be the one with the honor of performing your autopsy!"
"Oh I don't think so Dib," Zim smirked, "I would destroy you right now if I didn't expect to get so much enjoyment from watching you fail."
"Fail?" Tak scoffed, "The only failure is you! I've always been the better one out of the two of us, and soon the universe will know just how much of an-"
Suddenly, everything exploded into chaotic fury. Irken solders appeared and began blasting everything around them, catching many of the other aliens off guard by the sudden ambush. Some managed to fight back, but Tak had a sinking feeling in her squeedly spooch that those who did wouldn't be enough for them to overcome. Too many Risisty members were falling to the ground and the number of Irkens Zim had brought far surpassed their own numbers.
"You didn't really think I would come unprepared, did you Tak? I was only distracting you." She suddenly found herself Zim's hand around her throat as he lifted with one hand and used the other to knock Dib to the ground. "MIMI!"
The SIR unit jumped up when a containment field surrounded her and Mimi sent Gir a glare while he squealed with ecstatic laughter as he danced around her with the remote for the device in his hands.
"Your little robot won't help you, Tak. I should destroy you now for what you've done," Zim tightened his grip before dropping her, "But I won't. I'm not here to waste my time on you and your pathetic boyfriend."
"Get away from her!" Dib lifted a laser gun to him before it was knocked away.
"Be quiet!" Gaz shoved her brother aside, "Your stupid revenge and pointless obsessions are-"
"Gaz!" Zim rushed over to her and pulled her into his arms, "Are you alright? They didn't hurt you?" He looked for signs of injury as he asked, examining her face and hands.
"Get away from my sister you-" Dib was knocked to the ground again, "Do not do anything weird right now, Dib! If you do, you will suffer horribly!" Gaz snapped before turning to Tak and tossing a metal bar at her feet.
"Nice try."
Zim clutched Gaz to him and surveyed the room; the battle had been short but he had never felt more proud as his soldiers stood at attention with unconscious Resisty members on the ground. This victory far surpassed all the others he'd had during his time as Tallest, because now Zim had his little-Gaz and he was never losing her again. Not for anything.
"Guards, find and release any prisoners you find and take away these pathetic larva, especially the one with the filthy gargantuan head!"
"NO!" Dib shouted as an Irken guard grabbed him, "The Earth is still in danger and my dad-"
"The nanites have been deactivated and are being removed from your father's blood stream." Zim glared at him, "And your 'precious little Earth' is safe for now. As for you Tak,"
The Irken scowled when he turned his attention to her, "You're going to live with Dib from now on. I hear he lives a very eccentric lifestyle..." Zim smirked, "Have fun babysitting."
"You horrible, disgusting-"
"Silence!" He spat, "Now be gone with you!"
Dib and Tak were roughly shoved on a ship, glaring at Zim who returned the look before turning to his Queen.
"I'm surprised you actually showed up." Zim's eyes met hers and despite her initial anger towards him, Gaz's heart fluttered at the emotion she saw within them.
"My little-Gaz, I've been a fool, can you forgive me?" She raised an eyebrow at him, "My pride prevented me from seeing the truth, I know I've made many mistakes, but the truth is I love you Gaz and I want you by my side always."
His strong arms wrapped around her and he stroked her hair with unbelievable tenderness while she rested her head on his shoulder. Gaz feared just breathing would shatter this wonderful dream before her.
"Will you stay with me, Gaz?" He mumbled with a hint of panic in his tone, "I know my actions were intolerable and I won't blame you if you decide to leave, but I need you Gaz, I don't think I can handle life without your fierce spirit."
She pulled back and looked into his eyes, "You're giving up everything?"
He smiled, running a hand thru her hair again, "Earth's not so bad; it gave me you after all. As for your brother, I've found something else in my life that's more important than revenge."
Gaz took his hand and held it to her heart, "I love you too, Zim. Maybe I always have since I was a violent girl of ten." Then she punched him, "But that doesn't mean I won't destroy you if do something stupid again!"
He laughed, pulling her closer. "I'll make it up to you. I already have some ideas that you may like, but I'm open to suggestions."
"Well, there is one thing you can do…" She wrapped her arms around him and brushed her thigh against his own, looking at him thru half-lidded eyes with a mischievously sultry smile on her face.
His eyes became hazy before the smirk she loved so much appeared on his face, "Not just yet Gaz, first we're taking you to Earth and having a wedding ceremony."
"Wedding?"
"Yes, I was serious when I said I want you by my side always, both in your culture and mine. All of Irk instinctively knows we're mates, but I want everyone on Earth to know you're mine too." He tugged at her dress.
"You can wear your own clothes afterwards, but I want you to wear your Queen's Dress when I officially present you to the Empire and all the planets beneath us."
Gaz shook her head, "You always have to make a big deal out of everything."
"Presenting my Queen is a big deal!" Zim huffed proudly, "The universe fears and respects me, and they'll learn to give you the same treatment. When planets hear of Queen Gaz and Tallest Zim, they will know what true terror is and fall before us-"
He was silenced with a kiss, one full of love and edged with passion. When Gaz pulled away she held a sly and mischievous grin that made Zim's eyes glow with excitement. Tracing his jawline she whispered,
"Let's show the universe what a real nightmare is."
The End
And yay! Happy ending! My dad always said that you can respect a person's position, but that doesn't mean you respect the person themselves. They have to earn it. That's kinda something I wanted to portray. I do find Red and Purple funny, but sometimes I'm like "eh…" with what they do. At the 'inner thoughts' in the beginning, I originally thought of Tak, but I left it open to interpretation. Dib or Tak? Anyways, Read and Review (Constructive Criticism only) and well I hope this ending was good enough! Take care and I'll see you in my next story!