A/N: Thank you for the great comments! and I hadn't noticed! 50 chapters! Wooohooo! please continue to read, enjoy, and COMMENT! thank you!
Ch. 51
"I just can't believe this…Zim…Irken Invader, loud mouthed, annoying, egotistical Zim…Is pregnant." Red summarized stoically, he was leaning up against a wall in the hallway, hesitant to go get the prince.
Purple could be scene in the background freaking out completely! running back and forth in front of red babbling nonsensically about how very dead they all were "When did this happen…When did we completely loose our pride."
"Oh Irk. I don't even know how to deal with this…If the King finds out. Zim and Zik are both dead. And then eventually our race." Purple was then seen screaming about how the end was near
,"Without them there is no hope. We HAVE to keep this quiet. Hopefully we can move up the wedding, so the pregnancy won't be noticed. The smeets are half Irken, half Ondskan, so it is bound to develop very fast."
When Purple ran past Red once more he screamed at him "PURPLE CUT IT OUT!" Purple panted heavily, shaking his head as Red firmly grabbed his arms "But Red! What are we going to do! all this work just to die!" Red growled pushing him into the wall to keep his still
"You are not going to let this information leave us! as long as you stay CALM we'll be ok!" lip quivering Purple cried out clinging to red "But RED! What are we going to do?!"
Red rolled his eyes, letting go of Purple, speaking softer "I don't know…but we'll figure this out." gently patting his cheek red continued "It'll be alright... Now come on, we at least have to tell the prince." Purple stood back up, looking as though he still may vomit, whining he nodded, before they could even move though the one in question stormed down the hall
"WHAT IS GOING ON?! WHERE IS ZIM?!" Zik screamed furiously, Purple promptly hid behind Red, who put both hands on his hips, narrowing his gaze furiously.
"My prince please, everything can be explained." Red spoke confidently, Zik came to a halt in front of him, like a raging bull, "You better have a good excuse for standing ME up like that!" Red half smirked "Zim's pregnant."
It was funny, with that one simple statement, Zik drained of all anger he held a moment before. He stared at Red as though hoping it was a joke, but when the tallest frowned at him he shook his head "Pregnant…are you…sure?"
Red cocked a brow, crossing his arms, "With twins, and don't you dare blame Zim. If you knew how to keep yourself in check, than this wouldn't have happened now would it?" Zik growled, fury gleaming in his eyes "How DARE-"
But Red cut him off hissing mockingly "I? Oh what are you going to do? Tell daddy? Please Prince. If I were you, I wouldn't want to die…so I'd show the tallest some respect. Or I might…let slip…" Purple peered over Red's shoulder drawing in a sharp hiss of fear at the look on the Prince's face.
If looks could kill boy, but the prince grit his teeth "Clever… tallest…clever, now take me to my bride." Red smirked cocking his head to the side, to which the Prince growled dangerously low "Please."
Satisfied with being able to lay into that prince, Red led him into the med bay. Zim sat on the table, his eyes swollen, blank and distant. Dib sat next to him, not saying anything, but providing a silent comfort.
Zik didn't give Dib a second look as he stood before Zim, and asked in disbelief "You're pregnant?" Zim looked up, not bothering to bow, and honestly not thinking about it "With twins…yes…"
Zik shook his head, rubbing his neck as though in fear of a be-heading "What are we going to do?" Zim shrugged weakly, not trusting himself to speak anymore. "Can we…get rid of them?" The prince asked.
Red shook his head "No, it's too risky for Zim's health. And if anyone EVER found out you did that, you would both die." Zik sighed in disgust, throwing his arms up. "Then what?! Hmmm?! What?!"
Red sighed, "We'll have to speed up the wedding. We can give Zim some shots directly into his PAK. To hide the symptoms, and cross your fingers that no one finds out."
The prince still wasn't happy, but what else could they do. "What kind of medicine?" Red pondered that thought; it had to be safe for Zim and the babies. Before he could respond Purple spoke up wisely
"How about one forth mitly, one forth hont, and half premedly? If we mix it right, it should keep Zim up to normal standards, and hide the symptoms. That and rest, food, and low stress Zim should be fine."
Red, and Zik were blown away. They stared at Purple for a moment, in awe. Purple shrugged "What? I did exceed in med training?!" Red shook his head "Yes…that could work…go mix up a quick batch, Zim needs some now."
Nodding Purple strode across the lab, glad for something to do. Zim hadn't said a thing this whole time, he stared at the floor, not crying, not moving. He still didn't know how to handle all this.
He was pregnant. It was scary, but he knew he wanted them. Even if they weren't conceived under the best circumstances, he wanted them. They were part of him, and after all, this was an incredible feat for any Irken to be with smeet.
In the darkness, this seemed more like a ray of hope to Zim. Made him feel, special…something he hadn't felt in a very long time. Dib was uncomfortable with the awkward silence, so getting to his feet he mutter to Zim "I'm gonna wait in the hall."
Zim nodded vaguely, as Dib quickly left. When done Purple came back with a long shot, Red questioned "is it ready?" Purple nodded "As it will ever be." Snapping on gloves Red sidestepped the prince, and helped Zim lay on his stomach.
Unhooking the wires from his PAK red warned "This will hurt Zim." Popping open the middle panel, Red felt around gently for the right area, Zim tensed, and he plunged the needle inside him.
Zim hissed in pain, clenching at the sheet. But in an instant, the pain was gone, the fever was gone, the stomach ache, everything was better. Zim sighed in relief "oooohhhh…." Red smiled; glad it worked, and snapped his PAK shut. "Ok Zim, you can stand up now. But, take it slowly."
Zim got to his feet slowly, not caring if he accidently flashed them, and all of them saw him naked at some point anyway. The tallest had the respect to turn away while Zim changed. Zik watched him, but didn't offer to help.
It was clear that he blamed Zim, but with the tense situation he held his tongue for the first time in…ever. Once done, he finally asked "What now?" Red and Purple turned back toward him, as Zik shrugged "We need to convince father to speed up the wedding date."
Zim nodded, he didn't want to marry Zik, let alone sooner than expected. But what choice did they have? So with a heavy heart, and air of awkwardness Zim and Zik walked off to find the King, while the tallest stayed behind to work.
It felt as though they were walking to their doom, as the kings chambers came into view. The guard's parted quickly for the prince and Zim, walking inside they bowed in sync, the king held up a hand to halt his servants while he gestured for them to stand
"My son, Zim, how nice it is to see you two together." The prince forced a smile, surprised when Zim spoke "Thank you my King, if I may…we hoped it may be possible to, move up the wedding date?"
The king stared at them for a moment, before he threw his head back and laughed "Ha, can't wait I see." Zim felt like being sick, but knew it wasn't the Smeet's fault, Zik merely grinned at his father,
"I know this is sudden father, but the seating is done, the wedding attire has been chosen, the décor, such as flowers, drapes, have been chosen. We are already quiet sure on what to do and say at the reception." The King grew silent when he realized they were serious about this.
Zim agreed "Yes, and the wine, cake and food is just about done. All that's left to work on is finishing the reception hall, and setting up." When they finished speaking the king sat back in thought.
He stared at them for a few long minutes before nodding with a grin "Very well, as you wish, the wedding will be held in two days' time." Zik grinned in relief, as they bowed "Thank you father."
The king held up a hand "But! Everything better be up to my standards my son. And go release this information to the press will you?" Zik nodded, they had planned a press release before the wedding anyway.
To get the Irken's, and Ondskan press and guests all riled up for the wedding. Zim barely noticed any of this though. Two days…
he would now be married in two days!
Oh Irk...
Later on, once Zim finally got away from Zik, he ran, away from any servant, anyone, and everyone. Once outside he could think of only one place to go. Only one place to be able to calm himself, he had to be alone right now.
To think. Grateful that darkness gave him some covering, Zim vaguely noticed the beauty of his home planet surrounding him, as he ran down the front steps.
Through a garden of multicolored flowers, leather type glowing birds, and black trees. So many thoughts, fears, anger, and pain coursing through him. it was as though everything was hitting him at once and he had no clue what was right, wrong, or how to handle anything anymore...
At the back of the garden stood a statue, with candles, and offerings surrounding it, Zim panted in distress, staring up at the defined statue. It was of Myukie.
There was a statue made for each past tallest. There was one of spork around somewhere. But Zim wanted her in particular. Traditionally Irken's let the statue sit for at least 50-75 years before moving to the hall with the rest of them.
Reaching out Zim gently touched the statue, before he dropped to his knees, in a very old tradition of prayer he laid his hands flat on the ground, pressing his head down between his hands.
Taking deep breaths Zim muttered at first in Irken, "Great Tallest Myukie…please…hear my payer. And guide me with your wisdom only if I am worthy." Pursing his lips Zim continued, chest pounding, mouth dry, "I don't know what to do…I don't know who I am anymore.
Or if I am doing the right thing for our people, I know it is my duty, but with each passing day. Seeing how horrible these Ondskan's are…it makes me wonder…if union…truly is best?
It makes Zim realize how many mistakes us as a race has made….i know now that Irkens must strive to be great again. And regain the honor we lost. But with the union…we will lose forever who we truly are…it's just….soo much and i-"
Zim paused clenching his hands and eyes shut. He was SICK of crying. He wouldn't! He was SICK of being afraid! And so tired of fighting…and not knowing...
"Who am I?" Zim asked out loud, pausing, as a wave of rage filled him suddenly he whispered looking up at her statue "Its all your fault..." hyperventilating he felt tears of anger and pain fill the brims of his eyes as he screamed jumping to his feet, "H-h-how could you let this happen! We all trusted you!" unable to hold back, Zim began to punch her statue, not noticing that all he did was unsettle dust,
"I trusted you! You should have done something more! Seen this coming! Not create me to handle YOUR mistake! And I-I-I" Zim paused, stoping his furious ministration as he colapesed in front of the statue, clinging to her stony legs
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean any of it! Oh IRK! What do I do?" Zim howled in frustration and a mix of so many conflicting emotions, wanting a miracle answer and not expecting, and shocked when it happened, a soft female voice speak "Oh Zim, it is cruel for you to bare such burdened responsibilities."
Eyes snapping open Zim sat up, only to gasp in shock and fall backwards. He was crazy! He had to be! It was Myukie! She was here! Sitting on the pedestal her statue once was, her deep blue eyes fixated on Zim. She looked like an absolute vision wearing white and blue robes.
Zim's eyes where wider than wide. This wasn't possible….she was…dead? Right! Myukie chuckled; her voice rang out as though a whisper…or a memory, not there…but…there. "You're surprised. But I came to you in a time of need." Zim swallowed hard, not feeling worthy enough as he shifted to his knees in front of her, and proceeded to explain himself to the best of his ability.
"I am so confused my tallest…I know you created me to do my duty to my people. And I mean no disrespect, but I can't help but question if it is the right thing. As more time passes I feel my own self being broken, I am trapped. Loosing what made me special.
What made me…Irken. And I know it'll be worse after the wedding. But it is clear the Irkens are too weak to win another battle against them." Myukie listened to him rant, not once interrupting, not once did she look in least bit annoyed or bored.
Zim felt his voice catch in his throat, as tears filled his eyes "so much has happened…I was blamed unjustly for your death, exiled, and fell in love with a human. And know I'm being forced to marry a disgusting Ondskan! And in the process I am loosing myself…"
Zim bowed his head in shame "Now I'm with smeet…and I can't recognize who I am…I don't know who Zim is anymore...perhaps...he's gone." With that Zim fell silent. With care Myukie reached out and gently guiding Zim to lay his face in her lap.
While she rubbed the back of his head she spoke, her voice more calming then the most soothing lullaby "You know who you are Zim. That's what always made you special. Through-out everything you've endured you've nobly shown your honor, respect, and never lost sight of what was most important. Even when no one was on your side…"
Zim looked up, listening so intently, as Myukie cupped his chin "You never let that stop you. You would never be deterred." Touched and honored Zim still asked in nothing more than a whisper "What do I do? How will I know what is right?"
Myukie smiled shaking her head, before she released a soft sigh "Sometimes…it takes someone…detached from the pure blindness that consumes from power. Someone who see's people, and situations for what they truly are…and who never gives in to the bribes of absolute power, rule, etc."
Slowly, all so slowly she pulled Zim into a hug "Someone like you. And I have never been more proud. I know you will do what's right…Zim." Zim couldn't breathe, move, or speak. Nothing. There were no words.
Standing back up on her pedestal Myukie regained her pose, and reassured once more "I believe you will make the right decision…" Zim panicked, clinging to the base of the statue, "which is WHAT?!"
Before turning solid again, the ominous auro of light around them fadding back into dismal darkness fading, she whispered , her voice surrounding him as wind and leaves picked up and swirled around "You will know…and I'll always be with you."
Zim felt his antenna's droop when the statue once more stood there. everything had fallen silent and dark once more. The words "Good bye…Zim." Repeated in his head, it made him wonder if he hallucinated the whole thing. Looking down at himself, then up at the statue, Zim knew.
Even if it wasn't real…it was real. Suddenly…
he didn't feel so afraid.
A/N: Hope you loved! I literally just added the last part! it was an impulse but I loved it! Hope I spelled names right! Please comment! you guys are awesome!
