Chapter Notes

Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim

Author's Note's: Okay guys this is the second to last chapter. Please enjoy!

Thanks for reading and please review!

(Back with Zim...)

This was perhaps the most defining moment of his entire life…

The Ex-invader Zim plowed through the main observation deck and his father's last remaining defenses with ease. Nothing could distract him from his goal, within moments he would defeat his father; or die trying.

Dib dodged a deadly blow as he kept up with Zim step for step as a truly worthy mate should. However, sweat dripped from his brow and his muscles screamed for release! Oh, how easy it would be to give in now, but he would not! Once they got through this last defense Zim and Tak would be on their own. Still Dib and Skoodge would be wise to neutralize the pilots and soldiers on the bridge.

Once this task was completed Dib and Skoodge could order all enemy Voots back to the Massive. The war outside would be over, leaving only Zim and Tak to finish off the remaining pieces of the enemy's army. Dib knew his support was very important to Zim, and because of this he carried on. Even as his muscles ached and his head pounded in pain keeping in perfect rhythm with the thundering of his own heartbeat.

'It's almost over…' He told himself this over and over again, and the three words motivated his every strike. And why shouldn't it? After years of fighting Zim the greatest challenge of his young life was about to be over.

It was an almost bitter sweet feeling. What would they do once the Irken race was defeated? Dib couldn't even begin to fathom the answer. He had been fighting this war for so long, they all had, and now it was about to be over. So what did that leave them with?

Tak was unsure…

All her people ever knew was war, for as long as she could remember it fueled her peoples every decision. Their every move was based on an endless war effort, and now it would seem said war was almost over.

Irkens would no longer prey on the innocents of this galaxy or the next.

'But if we are not invaders then what are we?'

It was a troubling question to say the least, one that she was sure that not even Zim would have an answer to. However, it was an obvious question to address, after all they had been concurring worlds for so long.

Could they really learn to do anything else?

Skoodge dodged another blast from an oncoming plasma riffle and didn't even stop to catch his breath. He maybe a round and overweighed invader, but even he was made for war. The stout invader had no illusions of the battle ahead of him, still it was nice to see that at least his role was almost over.

Once he and Dib took over the pilot controls on the Bridge the war would be over, for him at least. He still couldn't believe they actually managed to get this far, no one in all of Irken history had ever managed to get this far. Which only went to show just how dangerous an Irken soldier really was.

With as little as three rogue soldiers the enemy was bringing the entire Irken Empire to its knees. And just as Zim said the fight would be over before it even began, wars with irk was always short, but never had the enemy been blessed with such an obvious upper hand.

The last soldier between them and the Bridge fell and the four stopped to catch their breath.

"Dib." Zim rasped. "Once you and Skoodge take over the controls instruct Gir and Mimi to retreat back to the bridge."

Dib nodded his breath still too ragged to give a proper answer. This was it, in a matter of moments it would all be over. And still there was one last question that had yet to be answer…

What about us?

Dib bit his lip, refusing to allow the question to exit his mouth. Zim could not afford a distraction now. And yet Dib could not help but wonder if winning this war would cause him to lose Zim forever.

No he couldn't bare that! Not when Dib had just got him back, the battle with Maz had caused him to nearly lose his mate forever. And now it would appear that once again his mate would be throwing himself in the line of danger. And this time it would be against his father, an individual who no doubt had twice his experience.

One who would also do anything but play fair.

Oh yes Zim was aware of the fact that Emperor Nax would most likely play dirty, and Tallest Mookie would do the same. Trickery and lies was all the Irken race ever knew, there was no honor when they fought. Not until today that is, when three Irken invaders decided to tip the scale and switch sides for the greater good.

And Zim truly believed this was for the better of all races, including Irk. Yes, the time of war and hardship was over. In a matter of moments a great peace that hadn't been felt for some time would erupt throughout the cosmos.

Yes, that much he was certain of…it was after the war that gave him pause. War had been a constant for too long now. Could they really believe it was all about to be over?

"Let's do this." Tak insisted loading plasma riffle for the last time. She was almost out of Ammo, after this she'd have to depend on her own two fist to overpower Tallest Mookie. She knew such a task was suicidal, but at the moment it looked to be unavoidable. Her only salvation was that the new Tallest was as green about fighting as any noble was. However, to hope for such an easy battle now was to invite failure.

"I'm ready." Dib finally managed to rasp.

"Me too." Skoodge forced out.

It is then that Tak understand that their chances are not looking good, they were all tiered and the enemies behind this door were full of energy with plenty of ammo to spare.

"Use your ammo wisely." Zim advised. "Make every shot count, we can't afford to slip up now."

'Not when we've come so far'

His three comrades nodded, and once more Zim feels the need to tell Dib how much he loves him. The ex-invader pushes the thought away, he would not say sappy things that will force Dib to choose him over his family. Besides Dib belonged on Earth with other humans, and Zim had no right to steal him away.

No right at all.

"Zim I-" Dib struggled for the words, he knew if he didn't say it now he'd probably never would. However, knowing this did not stop him from biting his tongue in denial, if he didn't say it now Dib may never get another chance. However, he knew that saying those three words would make Zim leaving real.

And Dib would do anything to pretend that it wasn't.

Zim nodded, the silence was understood, but he said nothing, and Tak was grateful. Was that selfish of her? Perhaps, but the last thing the Irken female needed was another reason to regret leaving Gaz on Earth's surface. Tak shook her head, she wanted her and Gaz to have what Zim and Dib did. Really! But such a relationship was proving to be anything but ideal.

Zim shook his head and narrowed his eyes, it was now or never. So with one final glance at Dib he burst through the doors of the Bridge with a loud war cry. His comrades were right behind him, this was it.

The final battle, and only one would be victorious!

(Back with Gaz…)

Navigating through the storm of war had not been as easy as she had made herself believe. Than again perhaps next time Gaz would refrain from comparing real life battles to that of her video games.

'This is no game.' She told herself as she dodged several more blast the enemy.

"Unidentified Fighter, this is Commander Lard Nar." A voice said over her Comms. "Identify yourself."

"This is Gaz membrane." Gaz answered. "I'm Zim's back up."

"I wasn't aware that reinforcements were called." Lard Nar looked unsure. The pilot in question was piloting the same craft as Zim and the others. Still the rebel wasn't keen on trusting this Gaz on those details alone.

"Well he's getting it whether he wants it or not." Gaz insisted. "We're too close to get big headed now."

Lard Nar knew she was right, Zim and the other three must be exhausted by now, and a fresh soldier could do them some good. "They should be on the bridge by now." He told her. "You'll never reach them in time if you enter the same way they did.'

"Then get me a better entry point to work with." Gaz ordered. "And fast."

Lard Nar took a moment to think of any possible options, she could enter the same way the droids had. The snack storage compartment would give her access to the air vents where she could enter the bridge undetected after a few quick turns. However, the droids had already use this access point, and the enemy maybe waiting for it to be used again.

The risk was too great, and yet it was her only option.

"Gir and Mimi used the snack storage compartment to gain access it's your only chance to get there in time." Lard Nar explained. "You'll have to ditch your vessel and latch on to the Massive's hold as close to the snack storage compartment as possible. Can you manage?"

"I'll need help getting closer." Gaz admitted. "But yeah I can manage."

Lard Nar nodded and The Resisty's ships formed around her their shields working together to protect her just as they had done for Zim and the other's. "Alright mates this here is the last one." He assured his followers. "Just get her in close and she'll do the rest."

Gaz tensed her muscles as she unbuckled herself from her seat, once she was close enough the cockpit would open and she would launch herself towards the Massive, once close enough her rocket boots should be able to propel her through the open snack storage compartment.

"Once you reach the snack storage compartment use the air ducts to travel safely to the bridge." Lard Nar said giving her his final instructions. "I'm sending you a blue print of the Massive's schematics now."

Gaz watched as said schematics appeared on her communicator, they seemed easy enough to follow so without much hesitation she said. "Got it."

Lard Nar nodded "Right we're getting close, are you in position?"

"Yes." Gaz said.

"Almost." Lard Nar aimed at several enemy ships and shot them down, Gaz would need all the advantage she could get. "Now!"

The cockpit opened within seconds and Gaz launched herself out into the unwelcoming vacuum of space. Battle raged all around her, but she barely had time to notice instead she used her rocket boots to propel ever closer to her target, and as the snack storage compartment came into view, she dove into it just in time to dodge an oncoming blast.

"Please tell me you made it." Lard Nar said sounding breathless.

"I'm in." Gaz reassured him. "Thank you."

"Your welcome." Lard Nar told her. "Now get to the others their strength will be fading soon."

Knowing that he was right Gaz wasted no time accessing the already open air duct towards her target. "Hold on Tak." She whispered. "I'm coming."

(Back with Emperor Nax…)

He had not expected the three to still have enough in them to fight.

However, Nax watched as his son and his fellow rebels gain the upper hand rather easily. It was painfully obvious that no plans were made in case an enemy ever got this far. No, the Irken race was too full of themselves to think some lower life for could out due them.

But they had.

Sure Zim was leading them to victory, but without the Resisty and his human comrades his son would have never gotten this far. To think such inferior beings could come this close to beating him, well it did more than just wound his pride. In fact it almost obliterated it entirely.

Yes, such a pill was not an easy one to swallow for all it did was prove that Zim was right all along. That Emperor Nax should have taken a more active role in this war instead of just stealing another's credit.

Zim wasted none of his precious energy on the lower Irken's around him, instead he went straight for Nax, who to his surprise wasted no time hiding behind anyone. Such a gesture was subtle, but noted all the same. Without saying a single word a father had just told a son that he was worthy.

Zim had proven his right to challenge his father, and his actions today had shown he was ready to lead. No Irken Emperor could be more proud than Nax was at this very moment, his reluctant son was finally ready to take his place. Something that Nax had long ago given up hope on seeing in his life time, his first born was about to claim his birth right.

An age old dynasty would fall today, for this he was sure….

However, Emperor Nax did not plan to go easy on him, Zim had made it this far by the grit of his teeth and he would win the same way. Doing so would make him the kind of leader Irk deserved, more so than Nax ever was.

Zim watched his father's behavior with a look that could only describe confusion. He had not been ready for his father look at him with such pride. He expected Nax to be stubborn and deny him his right to claim the throne. Instead his father looked proud to stand before him now, his child was no longer a smeet, but a capable warrior.

Ready to claim what was rightfully his!

Mookie however, had an entirely opposite attitude towards Tak. "Ha!" He laughed. "You honestly think you can succeed me!" His tone dripped with ignorance and Zim was quick to point it out.

"You could have chosen better." He lectured his father as he aimed his blaster.

Nax produced a shield from his wrist gauntlets, deflecting the first attach with ease. "You already took the best choice."

Hearing this made Tak swell up with pride, despite her better judgment. Still, it was nice to know that even Emperor Nax was routing for her.

"She's bossy, and completely annoying." Zim spat. "I honestly don't know what I was thinking!"

Tak smiled seeing what Zim was doing in an instant, her hatred for him always drove her to victory. So naturally Zim gave her another reason to hate him, and it did wonders. Not that she needed it, it was obvious that Mookie had never been in any kind of battle to save his life.

'And he calls himself an Irken!' She spat in obvious discuss.

Mookie notices it in an instant, and he is not pleased. "How dare you spat at me!" He hissed. "I am your superior and you will bow!" He dealt a blow of his own, and Tak is impressed with his form.

She dodges it, realizing the current Tallest is not as helpless as he seems. Sure he had no experience in war, but every noble knew how to fight. Self-defense was a must in their world especially when you are next in line for the throne. Or currently sitting in it.

Zim dodged as Nax delivered a blow of his own, it's well executed and despite Zim's quick reflexes the blade of his father's sword still manages to graze his cheek. Zim hissed as the cold metal made contact, his father was never one for guns, instead he favored laser swords. With this weapon he had the ability to lengthen or shorten the blade as he saw fit. A strategy that allowed him to fight both in close range and distance if he so chose.

It was an advantage that was hard to ignore, and Zim knew he'd have to change his approach if he ever wanted to get the upper hand.

Emperor Nax watched his son with great interest, when he was younger his eldest had a bad habit of allowing himself to get frustrated during when they sparred. Yes, Zim was easily frustrated in his youth. However, such a trait no longer seemed to plague him.

His father smiled. "War has served you well." He admitted.

"To bad you've realized that a little too late." Zim hissed.

"Don't get cocky." Nax warned. "You haven't won yet."

Zim barely has time to react as his father strikes once more, he manages to dodge but it's not as graceful as before. Which only served to prove his father's point!

"See too much pride can be your undoing." Nax lectured before moving in to attack once more.

Zim withheld a growl as he dodged once more, his movements flowed with grace this time. When he was younger Zim would always become enraged when his father tried to lecture him. Mostly because his lectures contradicted the very rules that Zim had a habit of breaking. However, now Zim understands.

The rules are supposed to be contradicting, because as a prince he was bounded by them and forced to follow them. However, a King would see them as what they really were, the opinion of his father. Zim was no longer a boy, and he did not have to follow his father's rules.

As Emperor to be he could make his own, and he had.

"You won't get under my skin like you use to!" He vowed he shoots again, and his father uses his shield once more. However, Zim expects this and drops kick him while his blade is no longer a threat. Zim hits the shield, but the force is strong enough to throw back, the force banging his wrist gauntlet into his lip.

Pink blood spills from his lip and for the first time Zim has made his father bleed.

Nax smiles. "You've come a long way." He admitted. "But you still have much to learn." He strikes than forcing Zim to dodge once more.

Meanwhile, a tiered Skoodge and Dib struggle to get the bridge under control, and it's not long before Skoodge can no longer keep up. He's thrown to the floor and he watches as a blaster is aimed at him, this was it he was about to die.

It happened in slow motion, suddenly something or someone fell from the air duct above and landed on his attacker. Knocking him out with one blow of her black baseball bat.

"GAZ!" Dib exclaimed before dodging another pilot.

"Though you could use some help." She said with a smile.

Tak's spooch swelled at the sight of her, it would appear they'd get to say good bye after all.

Mookie notices her distraction and strikes to kill!

"Tak!" Gaz screams seeing the blade of the laser sword as it swiped for her.

Tak reacted as if on instinct, she managed to side step and grab the handle, and in one swift motion she flipped the blade and shoved it into her attacker!

Mookie didn't even have time to process what had just happened, he gasped as Tak drove the blade deeper into him. And just like that he knows the cold hard truth.

He's finished!

"How is this possible?" Mookie rasped in disbelief as he fell to his knees, still holding the handle of the blade. "I'm superior."

"Obviously not." Tak hissed driving the blade in the rest of the way.

Mookie goes still before falling to his side on the floor, dead to the world.

Tak seemed to allow herself to breath for the first time.

She had won!

She allowed her eyes to meet with Gaz's.

Gaz smiled "I knew you'd win." She praised.

"I told you to stay!" Tak hissed angrily.

Gaz didn't even flinch. "Your welcome." She teased.

Dib stopped to catch his breath as the rest of the pilots began to step back in obvious surrender, and Dib was grateful for it. However there was no time to waste so Dib grabbed the controls and ordered the Voots back to the Massive.

They obeyed, and Dib could hear the cheers of the Resisty over his Comm link.

The war for them was over, and not one ship had made it to the Earth's surface.

"Gir, Mimi return." Dib managed to rasp before slouching down in the nearest chair, he didn't care how weak it made him look. No he had earned this moments of rest.

"It's over!" Zim hissed to his father knowingly.

"Not as long as I stand." Nax reminded him.

Zim knew he had a point, he also knew his father wouldn't go down easily, not in less Zim managed to throw him off guard. Which was an impossible task, Nax had been watching him for days now, and could easily predict his next move. That is in less Zim stopped fighting like himself and started fighting like someone else he knew.

His eyes fell on Dib briefly and he smiled.

"You said you'd be standing much longer?" Zim asked slyly as a very annoying voice began to sing the Doom! Doom! song in the vents above.

"Wha-t?" Nax barely had time to speak before it happened.

Mimi popped out of the vent Gaz had entered from followed by Gir who imminently landed on the pilot controls sending the Massive spinning out of control.

As expected Nax is thrown off his feet, but Zim who saw this coming from a mile away used the chaos to his advantage. He snatched the laser sward from Mookie's body as it flew past him and struck at his father's gauntlets. He makes his mark and in the short out, spitting electricity everywhere.

Nax hisses in pain and pulls off the hazardous devices as he continues to spin out of control.

With his father's shields disable and his defenses down, Zim kicks off from the wall beside him and propels himself across the room.

Meanwhile Dib tries his best to grab on to something in a weak attempt to stop bouncing around the room. He manages to grab on to a chair that is bolted to the floor with one hand, and with the other he catches his sister by the hood of her shirt. Gaz wastes no time reaching for Tak who grabs her hand in seconds.

"Mimi! Get him to stop now!" Tak orders.

Mimi does her best to salute as she flies around the room, Gir is still at the controls spinning the navigation wheel wildly. Remembering that Gir loves to make everything a game she says. "Mimi says stop spinning the wheel!"

"Okay!" Gir obeys the order instantly straightening the wheel which sends Nax flying across the room and right into Zim's on coming blade.

Zim drops to the floor as his father is thrown into the wall by the force the laser sword deep in his gut.

Zim forces himself on numb hands and knees and looks at his father, only to realize that surprisingly the Emperor is still alive. He's even struggling to regain his own footing.

This was it, Zim's only chance to end this all! His father's defenses where down, all Zim had to do was grab the handle of the blade and finish what he started.

Zim gets up on sore and shaking legs and charges his ruby eyes screaming with all the rage he can muster, hoping it will fuel him to move faster.

It does Zim reaches his father, just as Nax gets to his feet. The Emperor coughs up blood and Zim cannot help the pain as it settles deep in his gut.

Why?

Because despite all that he put him through Nax was still his father, just as Maz had been his brother.

"Well?" Nax asked managing to smile. "Aren't you going to finish what you started?"

"I'm sorry." Zim admitted as he grabbed the handle and rammed the blade in deeper. He expected his father to spout out curses but to his surprise he said.

"I'm not." Emperor Nax fell to one knee. "I'm proud to call you my son." And in the next second he was gone, dead before he even hit the floor.

Zim fell to his knees with him, of course he'd be proud; his sick and twisted father finally got the son he always wanted.

And just like that the longest war in the history of the universe was over leaving them all to wonder the same haunting question.

What would happen next?


Chapter End Notes:

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Until then this is Emily signing off :)