Lost

Epilogue

"What do you think they are talking about?"

Red ignored his co-Tallest and continued to pace outside the Tyrannus's bridge, whose doors had been closed shut, so he couldn't know what was going on inside. He felt uncomfortable in an alien ship, but there was no way he'd allow the lizards into the Massive to contaminate it with their alien germs. He was starting to regret it, though, especially with the Sobrekt guards outside the doors, staring at him warily.

"Chill out, she'll be fine," Foxtrot assured the two Tallests. "The Shuryo might not seem like it, but he is pretty open minded."

"No offense, but he really should fire his decorator. I mean, hanging heads don't give exactly give a good impression." Purple commented.

"It was nice on your part to let her talk with the Shuryo alone, by the way."

Red smiled. "She could handle a pack of sobrekt, a cannibalistic carnivore, a bunch of psychopath aliens and Zim. I think she can handle an old crocodile."

Purple narrowed his eyes. "Okay, who are you and what did you do with Red?"

"What's a crocodile?" Masouri inquired.

At last, the doors opened. Red whipped his head around just in time as Ilk and Captain walked out. The former was rubbing her arm. "So?" Purple got ahead of him, much to his chagrin.

"The Shuryo let me go free in exchange of some DNA," Ilk explained. "They only need the flower's cells in my blood to create another one from scratch."

"They can do that?"

"We could bring back an extinct species if we wanted*," Masouri said proudly.

Red took it from there before Purple said something stupid. "What about the… war? After this, think we're good, or…? If we aren't, could you at least give us Foodcourtia back?"

"We are still pretty crossed at you for the theft, but after hearing all that happened the Shuryo was willing to… negotiate." Captain patted Ilk's head. "She handled it pretty well."

"The Shuryo is willing to hand Foodcourtia, Agricultia and half of the planets they took back to Irken control as compensation for what I went through. However, they wish to keep the Conveyor Belt Planet and Zootopia*; both planets will be open for us, but are to be considered Sobrekt territory from now on." Ilk explained.

"Why the Conveyor Belt Planet? Zootopia, I understand, but the Conveyor Belt…?"

"Let's say we owed a favor to a Screwhead…" Captain said sheepishly.

Red and Purple exchanged looks.

"Sounds fine to me."

"We can sleep at night without those two. Now would you mind taking us back to the Massive? There's a mountain of snacks with my name on it."

The Irkens were led back into the Ibris, which flew out of the Tyrannus's hangar and towards the Massive. The Irken flagship had stationed on the other side of Foodcourtia alongside the Armada, so the flight took a while. Blue found Ilk on the lounge, watching as the yet-unnamed indokuro hatchling tried to get Fury to play with him, but the older indokuro didn't move from his spot.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just wondering how to tell Uncle Pur that we'll have to leave the hatchling behind. He got attached to it."

"No offense, but from what I've seen I got the feeling he'll forget about it by tomorrow."

"Yeah, Uncle Pur has a short attention lapse."

Blue's talon claw started tapping on the ground. "So I guess this is goodbye, then?" he asked.

"For now, it is…" Ilk sighed. "Hey, Blue, about what happened…"

"It's okay. I understand… It was a bit selfish of me to pressure you like that. You're still young and-"

"I wasn't going to say that, actually," Ilk felt a bit nervous when he looked at her in confusion. "True, I'm a smeet and not mature enough to take such a decision, not to mention that in reality we barely know each other, but… It doesn't mean we can't get to know each other better." Ilk smiled. "You're a nice person, Blue, even if a bit… extremist at times."

"But you're going to the Academy, right?"

"Well, there's still Spacebook. Besides, knowing dad he'll do everything in his power to make sure I get free days to visit him."

Blue's crest bristled. "Well… I'd have to learn how to use Spacebook first…"

"You don't have one?"

"What? We barely have time for that, plus I'm not precisely social…" Both laughed a bit. "Oh, well, Masouri has one, so I guess he can help me open one if only to keep in touch with you."

At that moment the Ibris came to a stop. "Ladies and Gentleman, we've arrived at our destination. If you'd be so kind as to watch your step as you get off, the crew of the Ibris is not responsible for any items you forget or for you breaking a leg on your way out. Thanks for choosing to fly in IBRIS Airlines, have a good day!"

"Was that Masouri or the computer?"

"It's hard to tell, considering that since Masouri downloaded his personally they're practically one and the same thing"

"I heard that."

Both Blue and Ilk laughed again just as Red, Purple, and Captain walked out of the elevator doors. The hatchling chirped in delight and ran towards Purple, rubbing against his robe with a content purr.

"Aww, here you are, little guy! I know just the perfect place for you to sleep in!"

Red frowned. "That thing is not going to sleep in your bed."

"Aww, but look at him! He's a cutie!"

Captain and Ilk exchanged a knowing glance. Captain shrugged. Blue read their expressions. "It will only last for about two months. Indokuros have a fast growth spurt."

"Then we can teach him cool stuff, right?"

"You can start teaching him from now if you wish."

"Can I teach him to fetch snacks?"

"I highly doubt the productivity of that, but yes you can," Captain muttered. The platform lowered unto the Massive's hangar. "Well, this is it, Irken." He gave Red a strong pat on the back, almost knocking him off his feet. "See ya later."

Red frowned at him, rubbing his back. "What makes you think we'll see each other again?"

"Ah, believe me, I wish it wasn't the case, but by now it's evident that the universe conspires against us to make sure we re-encounter each other endlessly in a cycle of never-ending annoyance."

Red blinked. "That was deep, Captain. I didn't think you'd have a knack in poetry."

Fury rubbed his head against Ilk's body with a gentle purr. Ilk smiled lightly and patted his neck. "I'm going to miss you too, Fury."

"Let's go, Ilk. It's time."

The Irkens(and the mini-Fury hatchling) walked down the Ibris's stairs and into the Massive's hangar. Ilk exchanged one last glance with Blue before the platform closed and the Ibris flew away.

"My Tallest, you're just in time! The Sobrekt are retreating from Foodcourtia!" Invader Larb was pointing at the monitor excitedly, where hundreds of Sobrekt aircraft were seen flying away from the snacking planet, following the Tyrannus and other dreadnoughts and battleships away into hyperspace.

Wow, so they did keep their part of the deal. "Ilk here did a good job negotiating with the lizards." Red placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder, causing her to blush.

"Hey, where is Zim?"

"Oh, he took a zhook cruiser and left with the Dib-hyooman," Skoodge explained. "Or rather, the Dib-hyooman snuck into the ship when Zim tried to leave him behind as a 'present' for you, My Tallest."

Zim's gone? Just when they thought it couldn't get any better. Purple cried out. "Party!" One of the navigators pressed a button that sent confetti and streamers, both red and purple, raining down from the ceiling. Ilk rolled her eyes as the others, uncle Pur and her dad included, started to dance with the merry music.

"Hey, Tenn, where's Lena? She's missing all the fun!"

"She asked the Control Brains for an audience, My Tallest."

Red spat the soft drink in his mouth. "What?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!"

"You were still aboard the Sobrekt warship, My Tallest."

Red sped out of the bridge towards the Control Brains' chamber just in time to see Lena stepping out of it. "Lena!" he called out. "Lena, what are you…?"

"I thought about what you told me back on the ship…" Lena took a deep breath. "I cannot forgive you, My Tallest."

His squeedly-spooch sunk.

"At least, not right now. You were right, your words are not proof enough of your sincerity, especially from you. With all due respect, you and Tallest Purple are not precisely known for keeping promises. What assures me you're not toying with me again?"

"Oh…" Red looked down, flattening his antennae in sore disappointment. "I understand… I'll have a ship prepared for you…"

"I never said I was leaving."

His antennae perked up.

Lena's frown softened as she averted her gaze."You saved my life. You were willing to…" Lena didn't finish, but her gaze locked unto the bandages in his arm said everything. "I never imagined you'd be willing to give your Tallest blood to someone like me…"

"I just couldn't afford to lose you, I... " Red looked around to make sure they were alone. Then he unexpectedly grabbed her hands. "I love you, Lena."

"You do realize that it takes more than mere words to prove that, don't you?"

"I'm willing to prove it to you even if it takes me a hundred years…"

Lena saw the unspoken question in his eyes. "I just spoke with the Control Brains about what happened. I hope you don't mind that I mentioned them about Ilk's… special quality. They asked me to tell you that they want to speak to you in private."

He had actually been expecting the Control Brains to call him sooner or later to ask what had happened and why he and Purple were missing for so long, he had just hoped it would be put off until later. "I don't mind. Purple´s throwing a party in the bridge if you want to join in. It's not every day he's willing to share snacks with the crew."

"Should I save you some cinnamon rolls, Red?"

His eyes brightened when she called him by name again. "That would be nice, thank you very much." The euphoria only lasted for a few moments before he realized he still had to talk to the Control Brains. With a heavy sigh, he composed himself and went into the chambers.

Just like the last time, the supercomputers were whirring with uninterrupted activity. Red stepped onto the platform. "Doctor Lena said you wanted to see me?" he asked with every bit of calm he could muster.

"INDEED. AFTER ANALYZING HER PAK DATA AND HEARING HER EXPLANATION AS TO THE… EVENTS THAT LED TO YOUR DISAPPEARANCE, WE'VE DECIDED TO CHECK YOUR DATA TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH."

Without warning two wires connected to his PAK. Red winced as they searched through the memories stored and recorded by his PAK; it was an uncomfortable process, but it was better than taking them directly from the brain. After what seemed an eternity (fifteen seconds) the cables disconnected.

"THE EVENTS RECORDED IN YOUR PAK MATCH WITH THOSE FROM IRKEN MEDIC LENA."

"Well, sirs, if that's all…"

"IT ISN'T," their eyes narrowed. "WE NOTED A PARTICULAR… ARGUMENT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR CHILD REGARDING HER CAREER PATH."

Shoot. "I was going to mention that later…" Red chuckled sheepishly. "I think I got a little ahead of myself."

"YOU CAN SAVE THE EXPLANATION. WE SAW THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATION BETWEEN YOU IN WHICH YOU ADMITTED YOUR REASONS FOR WANTING HER TO BECOME AN INVADER."

First Captain, now the Control Brains. He really hated when they did that. "Sirs, with all due respect, my Ilk is not a defect." He told them firmly. "True, she is different by Irken standards, both physically and emotionally. She lacks the drive to conquer and the superiority complex that characterizes our people. She… She actually likes Zim of all Irkens, but she is not a defect.

"Even if she's not Invader material, she excels at everything else. If you saw through my memories, then you must have seen that she alone handled the final negotiation with the Sobrekt leader. And the result? They returned half of the planets they had captured and ended the war. All thanks to her. Not only that, but she possesses the gene responsible for Sobrekt regeneration and healing, one of the many things the Empire has sought ever since the reign of Tallest Brud! Can you imagine it? All smeets made from her DNA would possess that same ability, which would save us the need to deactivate soldiers who lose limbs, which in turn would save us troop losses!"

"That's why I ask of you, sirs… Please consider assigning Ilk to something else."

The Control Brains said nothing. The lights were flickering, meaning they were processing what he just told him and debating it amongst themselves for the next course of action.

Red froze as their eyes glowed again. "WE HAVE COME TO A DECISION."

"Cheesecake! Here, Cheesecake!"

The newly-baptized hatchling chirped in delight and ran towards Ilk as she held a piece of doughnut above him. He only needed to jump to snatch it from her hand.

"Damn you, Zim!"

Ilk rolled her eyes and looked up at her pouting uncle. The party was still going on, but his merry mood was soured when Zim called to inform them he had arrived safe and sound back to Earth and said he'd enjoy a good slice of cheesecake to celebrate. Unfortunately, the hatchling reacted to the name of the dessert and picked it as its name. Uncle Pur tried to rename him, but it was too late.

"I wanted to name him Snackie!" he growled.

"It's not that bad, uncle Pur. You love that dessert, don't you?"

"Well, yeah. But really, for an hybrekt? It doesn't sound very menacing. It's as if Tallest Miyuki had given the Massive a silly name like the Nacho, or the Flower, instead of the Massive! Nobody would take us seriously if that were the case!"

"Well, Snackie isn't very threatening either."

"It's better than cheesecake!" The hatchling went back to Purple and rubbed its head against his robe. The Tallest sighed. "Oh, well, it could have been worse."

Ilk spotted a tall Irken clad in red coming back into the bridge and went to meet him. "Dad, where did you go? Lena barely managed to save the last cinnamon rolls before uncle Pur could eat them."

"We need to talk, Ilk. In private."

Oh, no. She knew those words. Dad led her outside the bridge into the corridor, where he ordered the guards on turn away so they'd be alone. "I talked to the Control Brains about your future."

Ilk's antenna perked up. "And…?"

"Well, they were a bit put off with the unusual… situation at first, but," dad smiled. "They agreed to assign you to another career."

Ilk couldn't help it. She squealed in delight and jumped straight into her father's embrace, just like when she was a little smeet. "Thank you, daddy!"

Red chuckled fondly as he returned the embrace. Seconds later he pulled back slightly. "They did put a few conditions, though. First of all is that you are to donate some DNA samples to the smeeteries so that the smeets born from now on will have the regeneration gene."

"And the second?"

"Even if you don't take the Invader test, the Control Brain still expect you to receive a PAK when you go to the Academy and eventually take the test to become one of the Irken Elite."

"I have no problem with that!"

"That's my smeet. And now that the issue is taken care of, I believe we have a pending meal on Foodcourtia, am I right?" Red chuckled as Ilk nodded eagerly and placed her down. "Just wait a minute: do you mind if I invite someone else?"

Ilk shook her head and watched as. Besides, she had an idea as to who he was going to invite.

When he walked into the bridge the party was still going on. Purple seemed on a better mood since last time he walked in, especially since the little indokuro (Cheesecake, if he had heard correctly) was chomping on the camera the Dib-hyooman had been obsessed with. Oh, too bad they wouldn't get to see his face when he realized his 'evidence' was gone. "Hey, Pur, where is Lena?" he called out loudly over the music.

"She's taking a few snacks from Bobby, why?"

"I'm taking Ilk to Foodcourtia and I wanted to ask her if she wanted to come along."

"Would you mind bringing me some curly fries since you're going down?"

Red rolled his eyes and headed over to Lena. She was in a sort of friendly conversation with the service drone. "Lena?"

"Oh, Red. I was talking to Bobby about his spine. He's getting a hunched back from being in that position for so many hours."

Red couldn't really care less about Bob's spine, actually. "I wanted to ask you…" his tongue knotted. He knew what he wanted to say but the words wouldn't come out. "Well, you see…" The curiosity in those lovely eyes wasn't helping. "Ilk and I are… Um, we're going down to Foodcourtia, and… I wanted to ask you if…"

"He's asking you out on a date!"

"Purple-!" Red glared daggers at his co-Tallest. Purple merely snickered and slurped from his drink. Red turned back to Lena with his face almost matching his eyes. "Well, sort of… I mean, Ilk will be with us, so you could say it's more of a familiar get-together than anything."

Lena couldn't help it. She blushed and let out a small giggle. "You're not very good when it comes to courting, are you?"

"He sucks!"

"Purple!"

"Well, I wouldn't really mind accompanying you if Ilk doesn't mind either."

"She doesn't. We'd like you to join us."

Lena stared down at his outstretched hand, thoughtful, for a few seconds. Finally, she held out her hand to grab his, smiling. "I would love to."

Red returned the smile as they left the bridge.

*We could bring back an extinct species if we wanted: Reference to Jurassic Park.

*Zootopia: Really, I don't need to explain this one XD. PD: It's an actual zoo of alien animals, not an anthropomorphic animal planet.

Last chapter, everyone! I want to thank all of you who followed me through this story! Don't worry, this is not the end perse. After all, there are some issues that are still to be solves as well as some introduced ideas that are still to be explored. Currently, I have a sequel in the planning stages, but I'll wait a while till I actually publish that one, since I've got other fics to work on.

See ya till next time!