Hello Peoples!

WELCOME! WELCOME! HOLY CRAP I'M ACTUALLY WRITING AGAIN! DID YOU ALL LIKE THE LAST CHAPTER?

Dib: No

Me: WELL TOO BAD!

Breeze: Things don't seem to be exploding like you promised.

Me: That's because this is a STALLING chapter. The REAL action starts NEXT chapter.

River: You're just teasing people now, huh?

Me: Messing with people's heads is FUN! You should try it!

Anyway, I'm sorry that I'm taking so long to publish anything. I'm just the worlds greatest procrastinator.

Dib: And the world's biggest JERK

Me: Look, Zim's still bleeding out on the floor, and if you don't want to join him, I suggest your watch you mouth.

Annora: GODDAMN YOU, FIX HIM ALREADY!

Me: No. I don't want to.

Annora: I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!

Caligo: Er... it appears that I've wandered into the wrong story.

(A moment of awkward silence)

River: … Wat. Another Dragon Person.

Annora: And his wings are ORANGE. Are those tattoos?!

Caligo: Runes. I'm a mage. They're pretty necessary.

Breeze: ... He's kinda hot.

River: He's too old for you. What is he, twenty-three?

Caligo: Twenty-two, young one.

River: Who are YOU calling young one?

Me: Wait… Caligo? Aren't you from the Tale of Arvidi- CRAP. SHRUIKAN DIDN'T CLOSE THE DOOR.

Shruikan: And I didn't leave either.

Characters: ._.

Caligo: Is this a bad time to enter?

Me: Every time is a bad time, but what's up?

Caligo: There is a party going on backstage, and it seems that the human known as Lani has been tied up on the ceiling.

Me: HA HA! SERVES HER RIGHT FOR HER OBSESSION WITH ZIM AND FOR JUST BEING A PLAIN JERK!

Zim: (From his place on the floor) … wat?

Me: Not you. Another Zim.

Zim: Oh. (Faints again)

Shurikan: Hey, writer! Look, it's a distraction!

Me: Where? (Turns)

(Shruikan picks up River and runs away)

Shruikan: SUCKERZ!

River: AAAGABUBU!

Me: ... Oh yeah, she's still wearing the slave costume... PERVERT! COME BACK HERE!

Um... I'll deal with this later.

ONWAAAAAAARD!

Caligo: ROGUE! GET BACK HERE WITH THAT MAIDEN!

River: SOMEBODY SHOOT HIM!

Annora: ZIM'S NOT BREATHING ANYMORE!

Me:...

... Story of my life.

(Annora P.O.V)

There was silence. Lots of silence.

Silence and darkness.

My throbbing mind tried to grasp pieces of information.

Where am I? What happened? ... Why... Why is everything so dark?

I whimpered, shifting positions. I heard a noise.

No longer silence... but, where am I?

I let out a sigh.

"Annora."

The sounded echoed painfully in my head. I whined and tried to block out the voice.

"Annora."

"What?" I asked.

"Wake up."

I peeled my eyelids open.

At first, I couldn't see much. Everything was a colorful blur in my narrowed vision. I moaned.

"Annora?"

The voice was pleading.

I blinked a few times. Even though each movement was painful, I managed to turn my head I stare up at where I thought the noise was coming from.

A pair of trembling hands touched either side of my face.

"Can you see me?"

"No," I frowned. "Who are you?"

I heard a groan.

"Annora, it's me."

I grimaced.

"...Zim?"

"Yes, yes, it's me..."

"What- ... where am I?"

"Can you see anything?"

I strained my eyes, but everything was still blurry.

"No..." I rasped.

"Here..."

In a moment, something cold and wet dripped into my eye.

"Oo!" I hissed, blinking. It was uncomfortable.

"Hold still..."

There was a second drop in my other eye.

After a moment, after a couple of blinks, things grew more clear.

I realized that I was back in the lab. This confused me; in my last memory, I had been in the woods.

Woods... creature... DIB!

"Dib!" I rasped. "He has to run! He... he has to get away from-"

"Calm down..." said a soothing voice.

I whimpered and closed my eyes again. There was a dull throb in my entire body, especially on my back.

"Dib's fine..." continued the voice. "He's above ground, getting fixed up by River and Breeze."

"What-?"

"Just some cuts and a whole lot of trauma. He'll be fine."

I licked my lips and tasted something metallic.

"...what happened to me?"

Zim was silent. For the first time, I opened my eyes and stared directly at him.

I was surprised to see how exhausted he looked. There were dark circles under his eyes and his antenna hung limply on his scalp.

However, his bright eyes sparkled in relief.

"Can you see me now?" he asked hopefully. I nodded soundlessly.

I tried to sit up, but Zim's P.A.K legs immediately shot out and pushed me back down.

"Don't," he ordered. "You'll faint if you try that."

My head spinning, I eased back down onto the... table?

"Where am I?" I asked again.

Zim leaned over and gently stroked the side of my face. I sighed.

"You're back in the base. Dib brought you home."

I frowned.

"I... I can't remember what-"

Zim pressed a finger to my lips.

"You just need to rest right now, okay?" he said tenderly. "You're pretty beat up."

I glanced over at my shoulder. My right wing was bandaged up heavily.

"Is it...?"

"Yeah. Try not to move it."

I groaned softly and let my head drop down.

"Hey, be careful..." Zim said. "You don't want to-"

"Zim, that thing spoke Irken."

"I know."

"...You do?"

The alien nodded.

"Dib told us about what happened."

He sounded shaken. Scared.

Worried.

"Zim?" I asked timidly.

"Get some rest..." he said, rubbing my cheek.

I mumbled something and closed my eyes again.

"Don't leave..." I begged.

"I won't go far. I just have to-"

"Don't leave me!"

I was desperate. Still woozy from the attack, my mind was only able to wrap around a simple fact.

My dream is coming true. And things aren't going to get any better.

"Please..." I whispered.

Zim hesitated.

Then, with a sigh, he bent over and kissed my eyelids.

"I'm not going anywhere."

I woke up later, but I didn't know exactly how much. I felt a lot better, and was actually able to sit up some.

Rubbing my eyes, I glanced around and saw that Zim was typing away on a computer next to me. I realized that I was in my room; Zim was simply sitting on a chair next to the bed with a laptop.

The Irken glanced up.

"I told you not to move..." he sighed. I smiled at him

"I feel like crap, so I'm sitting up."

He tilted his head.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Much. Very much. Is that normal?"

"Apparently for you."

Zim closed the computer and sat down on the bed near me.

"Are you in any pain?" he asked, placing a hand on my forehead. I shook my head.

"No, not really. I'm super sore, though."

Zim chuckled.

"That's understandable."

I frowned and looked down at myself. I was wearing clean clothing, much to my confusion.

"How long was I out?"

Zim bit his lip.

"Er..."

I gave him a warning glance.

"Zim..."

"Alright, alright.. about a week and a half."

I gapsed.

"W.T.F?"

He smiled sheepishly.

"You were out of danger a couple of days ago, but I kept you sedated so that you could get some rest."

I gave him a dry look.

"You sedated me? Like I was a rhino?"

Zim groaned.

"This went downhill quickly... I just KNEW you'd be pissed."

He took my hands in his and gave them a squeeze.

"You needed the rest."

"I've been resting for a week, apparently."

Zim rolled his eyes.

"Will you please just listen to me?"

I couldn't help but hear a tense tone in his voice. He didn't look tired anymore, but he still looked troubled.

"What happened?" I asked. Zim blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"You look nervous."

Zim grimaced.

"It's... nothing you need to worry about right now."

There was definitely something up.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stared him straight in the eye.

"Tell me," I ordered. Zim's antenna flattened.

"I-"

"Tell me."

He cast me a pleading look.

"Annora, you're still beat up. You're wing isn't ANYWHERE near healed. I don't want you to start freaking out about-"

I growled at him.

"Listen, I know something is happening. I want to know exactly WHAT."

Zim hesitated.

"Please...?" I asked in a softer voice.

Zim closed his eyes.

"They- The Tallest..." he began. "They know that you're here. They sent that creature after you."

I widened my eyes.

"What?"

"They know that you're a Ferni Being."

"But... But, how?"

Zim's expression soured.

"They had a spy system inserted into the base. I found in a couple of days ago with H.C's help."

"But, didn't they-"

"It runs off its own power core, so it wasn't affected when they shorted out the base. They've probably been peeking in on us ever since..."

Zim paused.

"Ever since the dance, I suppose."

I let out a small breath.

"That... that's a long time..."

Zim snarled softly.

"Bastards probably want to watch me wither up into nothing. I'll bet they didn't expect to find YOU."

The alien froze.

"You... oh god, you're in danger…" he said, realization flashing into his wide eyes.

I struggled to stand, but Zim almost immediately yanked me back down.

"Don't you dare! You're just starting to heal!"

I hissed in pain as my wing scrapped against the wall. Zim placed me back down on the bed.

"Just... stay there, okay?" he asked. I frowned.

"Have you been here the whole time?"

"...Pretty much."

"What about Skool?"

"What about it?" he replied dryly. "It's not like we actually LEARN anything there. And besides, there's so much more that needs to be done."

As he said this, the door to my room creaked open. Three heads poked in timidly.

"ANNORAAAAAAA!" screamed River and Breeze. I groaned.

"Oh crap."

Luckily, Zim barred their way before they could pounce on me.

"Hey hey hey, careful!" he ordered. "You don't want her to break something else!"

River wailed and ducked under his arm.

"Annora!"

I sighed as my sisters began to leech on my face. (A.K.A: Hugging.)

"You're hurting me."

"HOW ARE YOU FEELING? ARE YOU IN PAIN? WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE? ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

"Guys, please! My ears!"

Dib timidly walked in. I noticed that he had a few scratches on his arms, but was otherwise okay. He even had a new pair of glasses.

"…Hey Annora…" he said softly. I smiled at him.

"Still kicking? Good. I was worried."

Dib flashed me a weak grin. It was then that I realized that I didn't have my disguise on.

And neither did my sisters.

"Wait, w.t.f?"

Breeze rolled her eyes.

"We had to tell him, you moron. He was already pretty confused."

I groaned.

"Sorry Dib."

"S'okay. I'm used to surprises when I'm around you guys, so why not?"

I laughed and ended up on my side moaning in pain.

Zim gave me a dry look.

"I wasn't lying to you. You need to rest."

I yanked the tip of his antenna.

"To hell with sleep. I want cake."

Zim gave me a weird look.

"Um... I might have some in the kitchen..."

"I want chocolate."

"... Uh, sure..."

"With sprinkles."

"... Okay."

"God, Zim!" River sighed. "You're such a good boyfriend!"

Zim glared at her.

"You don't want cake?"

River whimpered.

"I never said that..."

"Dib, go get the cake," Zim ordered. The human looked bewildered.

"But- why ME?"

"Because I said so."

Dib whined softly, but obediently disappeared to gather the sweets. River was still hugging my face.

"You can let go now," I said with a growl.

She shook her head.

"Never again! I will never let go of you again! I refuse to do so, since you OBVIOUSLY can't stay out of trouble!"

I sighed.

"It wasn't my fault."

"I'M STILL NOT LETTING GO!"

"River, River, please…" Breeze said, yanking her off. "Give Annora some room. She just woke up."

"And WHO'S fault was THAT?" I asked with narrowed eyes. Zim smirked at me.

"You're cute when you're asleep. Maybe I'll keep you sedated forever."

I raised my eyebrows at him as my sisters squealed.

"You never want to hear me talk again?"

"You sometimes talk in your sleep."

"How-… how do you know that?"

Zim rolled his eyes.

"You told me to stay with you. I've been by your side the whole time. I've kinda noticed what happens."

"Oh…"

River gushed and threw her arms around Zim's shoulders.

"I'VE ALWAYS WANTED A BROTHER!"

"Whoa… darling…" Breeze groaned. "Aren't you taking this a bit far?"

River pokerfaced.

"No. Not entirely."

I gave an embarrassed cough and closed my eyes.

"Can we stop this now?" I asked timidly.

Zim smiled.

"Getting uncomfortable?"

"Do you even know what she meant?"

"…No…"

I tightened my lips.

"There. You see?"

Dib poked his head back into the room.

"Uh… cake?" he said.

River glanced at me.

"Should we really be… celebrating?"

Zim nodded.

"If nothing else, let's celebrate the fact that Annora's awake and okay."

I frowned.

"If nothing else?"

Everyone glanced at each other.

"Dib, cut Annora some cake…" Zim said gently. "It's got proteins in it, so it'll make her feel better."

Zim went over the the wall of my room and clicked a button on his belt. A television screen morphed out of the ceiling.

"Here. There's something all of you should probably see."

The screen buzzed with static as Zim walked back to my bedside and sat down. I gazed at him questioningly, but he simply placed a finger to his lips and motioned to the screen.

The static cleared, and a human newscast was shown.

"This just in..." said the announcer, holding a microphone underneath his chin. "Earthquakes on the West Coast, and town Germany is in turmoil due to strange sounds and lights."

The screen panned to a bunch of blurry video footage, seemingly taken from a phone, showing a dark shape behind a bunch of clouds.

Zim paused the television.

"What's... that?" River asked, pointing to the shape. Zim went back over to the wall and tapped the screen.

"Alright..." he sighed. "So, basically, all over the world, there's been some strange activity going on. Lights. Sounds. Dark shapes in the clouds."

Zim pointed to the shape.

"See this? At the moment, no one can figure at what it is. But then... human technology isn't that great..."

Dib glared at the alien.

"Now..." Zim continued, clicking his belt again. "If we switch this to Irken video..."

The screen buzzed slightly, and the paused image become a lot clearer.

"Whoa..." River breathed.

"Not done yet..." Zim said. "Let's remove the clouds and zoom in."

His fingers swiped over screen, dragging the misty clouds to one side.

The rest of us sat in silence, gazing in horror that the thing that was now quite clear.

"It's... them..." Dib whispered.

The object on the screen was a red ship in the shape of a wasp. The black symbol pasted on the front was all too familiar.

"Is that...?" Breeze asked. Zim shook his head.

"No, it's not the Massive... it's a scout ship."

I continued to stare at the ship, dread sinking to the bottom of my stomach like sand in a jar of water.

"What's it doing here?"

"What are they doing here..." Zim corrected. "Watch this."

He switched screens to one that was black. At first, I was confused.

"Wait... where is this?"

"Space. I have a station at Earth's orbit."

Zim pointed at a spot in the darkness.

"See this?"

We nodded.

"Let's zoom up."

When he did so, the screen was filled with a sea of red ships.

"Holy crap!" River yelped, recoiling. "Is that...?!"

"The armada? 'Fraid so."

Dib's expression was a mix of horror an awe.

"Look at those designs..." he drooled. "Man, those ships look amazing!"

"Those ships..." Zim replied dryly. "Are going to blow up your planet."

I froze.

"Wh- what...?"

Zim sighed and flicked his antenna.

"Basically, that's how things turn out. The Tallest find what they want, then they either destroy or enslave the planet."

"What do they want from here?" Dib asked. Zim didn't reply right away, but he glanced at me.

I wanted to cry.

"Don't you think this is... overkill?" Breeze asked timidly.

"What do you mean?"

"They sent that many ships?"

Zim shook his head.

"No, it isn't overkill at all. After what happened last time, the Tallest aren't going to take chances. And besides, Ferni are really rare. When you find one, it's a big deal."

I didn't realize I was trembling until Zim looked at me again and tilted his head worriedly.

"Are you feeling alright?

Dib handed me a piece of cake, which I took thankfully.

"I'm... fine..."

Zim sat down next to me again and nodded towards the food.

"Eat it. You'll start feeling better."

I shoveled a spoonful of the pastry into my mouth, somehow enjoying it even though my feelings were all over the place.

This... this is all my fault... My friends are in danger... my family is in danger... and it's... my fault...

My mind went haywire, thinking of ways to fix the problem. I struggled to keep a clam face on as I ate, not wanting anyone to see how paranoid I was.

Zim startled me by standing up. He crouched in front of me, looking up into my eyes. He gently placed a hand on my knee.

"No," he said sternly.

I paused, frowning at him.

"... What?"

"I know what you're thinking."

I smiled weakly at him and took a shaky breath.

"It would work-"

"No it wouldn't. You're staying here, so I can protect you."

"But, hear me out-"

"No!"

"Zim!" I growled. "This is my fault. I'm the thing they're looking for! So just... If I give myself up... they'll leave everyone else alone."

The silence in the room was deafening. No one moved.

I closed my eyes, unable to look at Zim.

Nothing happened for the longest time.

"Leave."

I opened my eyes, startled. But Zim wasn't looking at me. Still crouching, his face was turned towards the three people standing near the door.

"All of you," Zim continued. "Go upstairs. Lock everything."

River opened her mouth to say something, obviously not happy with the order. But Breeze quickly grabbed both Dib and her sister by the arms.

Wordlessly, she dragged them away and closed the door behind her.

I stared of where they had disappeared, feeling trapped and frightened. I didn't want to look in front of me. I didn't want to see the anger in his eyes.

"Annora."

I winced. His voice was surprisingly soft, but I expected him to explode at any minute.

"Annora?"

"...yes?"

From the corner of my vision, I saw Zim stand up. He ran a hand across his cheek, exhausted.

He looked... beaten. Like he had just given up on everything. This scared me.

"Z...Zim?"

Slowly, he closed his eyes.

"Zim?"

"I can't..." he whispered. "I just... can't lose... Not again."

Confused, I tried to stand up. But there was pain in my back and I slumped back into bed with a groan.

"Zim..."

For a moment, I blacked out. When I opened my eyes again, Zim was leaning over me, concerned.

"You doing alright?"

I nodded weakly.

"Just... dizzy..."

"Here..."

Zim took something from out of his pocket and helped me sit up.

"Take this... I was going to give it to you sooner, but..."

He handed me a small vial, filled with a blue liquid. I opened the top without hesitation and drank it down. It tasted like blueberries.

Zim took my chin in his hand and observed my face.

"It'll kick in soon..."

I tilted my head.

"What'll kick in?"

Despite his worried expression, Zim had an almost mischievous look in his eyes.

"You'll find out."

"Why does that scare me?"

Zim simply smiled and lay me back down, drawing the covers up to my chest.

"I just want you to tak it easy..." he said. "Let the rest of us deal with this problem."

I tried to push the covers away and get up again, but my arms suddenly felt heavy.

"This problem is my fault..." I slurred, my eyelids fluttering.

Zim shook his head.

"It isn't. And even if you give yourself up, it won't stop the armada from destroying everything. The best way to protect everyone is to stay hidden. As long as they don't have you, they won't dare try to blow anything up in fear of hurting you."

I frowned because this made sense, and I didn't like it. I still felt like I was responsible for everything, and I wasn't happy just sitting around.

"I need to help-!"

"You need to heal. Please. It'll make me feel better if I know you're out of harm's way. And your sisters are frightened for you. I don't think you understand how scary it was when Dib brought you in."

"I... was uncon... scious..."

My head was woozy, and I struggled to stay awake.

"Zim...?"

"Mm?"

"... You... drugged me... Again."

Zim sighed.

"Sorry. But honestly, it's for the best."

"You're a jerk..."

I could hear Zim chuckle, even though my eyes had slipped shut.

"You don't mean that, I can see it in your face. Just trust me, alright? This won't be for very long. Only a day or so until you're well enough to stand."

"... O... kay..."

I felt Zim stand and gently place a hand on my forehead.

"I care about you, Annora," he said. "I'm going to do everything I can to keep you safe."

I don't know why, but this made me feel guilty.

But this... really is my fault... and... I'm sorry... I'm... so... sorr...

The drug knocked me out before I could even finish my thought.

YESH! I HAVE DONE IT! I HAVE FINISHED IT AFTER MONTHS OF PROCRASINATION!

Breeze: And you managed it in under two days.

Me: ...

Stop it. You're making me feel guilty.

Annora: WRITER!

Me: Jeez, fine! I'll save him!

(Uses magic power and Zim's head wound is healed.)

Zim: (Sitting up) ... whaat?

Dib: Hey! He's alive!

Caligo: Wonderful! Death always ruins a sweet moment!

Me: That was both... wise and dark at the same time, Caligo.

Caligo: Thank you.

Breeze: Hey, writer, River is still captured by that... perverted Irken guy.

Me: Shruikan? Ah, don't worry. He's an asshole, but he's got a heart of gold. He won't hurt her.

If anything, I'm a bit worried about HIM. I'll probably go look for them...

ANYWAY! To all the readers, I am SO sorry that it's taking me so long to publish things! I honestly have not been writing very much in ANY of these stories, because I started a new one, and am working on other things. BUT I AM CONTINUING THIS! I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON IT!

See you all next chapter!