Last Chapter before we get serious! I have decided to end this fic when they go to the past. IN the past will be a part 2/sequel. By leaving this fic open ended, it leaves room for plot bunny/one-shots of a time travling Zim, Purple and Mary! XD

Base

"Alright. I have decided." Zim stopped pacing to face them all. "Since we have verified that only myself, Purple and the real Mary can go through the gate we need to be smart about this."

They nodded in agreement.

"Purple." Said Irk straightened to attention. "You and I will be tasked with gathering information on all the changes I implement over the last 3,000 years into one of my hard drives. We will sort through the successes and failures when we arrive in the past. We will use that as your way back in and to ensure they actually LISTEN to me!" He growled that last bit.

Yeah… He's still a bit bitter about the mocking.

Letting that last bit slide, Purple nodded in agreement.

"Mary." She straightened to attention. "In the Alternate vision, it showed I have an incoming call with Gaz Tak and Gaz Skooge soon. You will join me for it. I will have them gather all known Gaz's-"

"Sorry for interrupting. But what's a Gaz? Is it another rank system like you had with Dib?" Mary was excited to learn about a new rank, remembering Gaz as Dib's sister.

Zim blinked at the interruption, but startled at the question.

"Well… yes. Like the Dib rank is for the Humans, also being more common. The Gaz Rank, however, is for the Invaders who WIN against a Dib and come out of it wiser. As I explained this morning, Irks were becoming more brain dead as time wore on. As such, even those I take on were a hit or miss. Basically, the Invaders who DON'T get the rank are those who learn nothing from the experience and treat it as a form of glory seeking for the Empire." He growled at the thought of THOSE Irks…

"Wow…"

Stell and Blue looked at each other. They knew vaguely that the Gaz's out rank all others and have always helped improve the Empire. But this… makes a lot more sense as to WHY.

"Indeed. As I was saying…" He gazed at her teasingly. She just shrugged with a grin. Shaking his head amused, he continued.

"I will be making that call after our meeting, instead of waiting for it. What I will have you doing is to gather up all the Gaz's to copy the data in their PAK's. Their PAK data also contains their biological DNA. By bringing that information with us, we will be trading it at the Smeeteries with confirmed braindead Smeets to take their place."

They stared at that. In a sad way, it makes sense. Those Smeets are technically dead if they have nothing left from the cloning process. They would just have a hive-mind connected to the Control Brains. It would be a mercy in a way.

"By bringing the Gaz's with us, we can make the situation on Irk even better just through their experiences alone. They suffered yes, but they have LIVED as well. I cannot leave them behind after all I did for them."

They nodded in agreement. Blue hesitated before raising his hand.

"Blue?"

"What about me and Stell?"

Zim stared, confused. Then it dawned on him.

He walked over and took a knee to look them in the eyes.

"Sir?"

"Recite to me what I just described as a Gaz Rank."

The duo looked at each other.

Stell stepped forward. Even kneeling down, with Stell standing, she still has to look up.

"Sir! A Gaz is an Invader who comes out of their mission learning from it-"

Zim held up his hand to stop her. Gently, he put his hand on her head and smiled.

"A Gaz is an Irk that has kept their sense of self. Who they are. When I take them, they learn from this mission and come out better for it. I pair them with a Dib who stands out from other Humans. MY Dib noticed right away that I was an alien and tried to stop me from taking over. I learned to try again and again. I learned not all plans work as you want it. Especially when paired with a Gir!" She snickered a little.

He softened. Placing his other hand on Blue's head, he looked at them both.

"I learned to loosen up and rely on others. To talk to people and listen to what they had to say. By using what we learn, they bring it back home to help our people better themselves and preserve what is left. But mostly, they learn to live and be themselves. Something denied to most of us back in my time."

Purple stared in wonder. So that was why…? He felt his hands shake in horror. After all he sent MANY Irks through the airlock! And for STUPID reasons too! How many of them were hive-minded? How many were… alive?

Mary and Clary stared, mind boggled. Dib's had THAT much of an impact on them?

"So.. how about you answer your question for me. What about you and Blue? Are you a Gaz or aren't you? If you are, then you're coming with us. If you are not, then you will be left behind. I want you to think about it before you answer." With that, he stood and walked back to where he was to continue.

"Anymore questions?" They shook their heads after a while. "Good. Let's continue. Mary will be teleporting where Tak is as there's more room on the Massive. You will gather up all the Gaz's to copy their information down to take back with us. Upon return, you will hide in here with Gir while the Raid is going on and wait for myself and Purple to join you before we travel. Whether or not the Gaz's come back with you, myself and Purple will handle the rest. Understood?"

Mentally shaking her head, she nodded. "Yes sir!"

Zim nodded. "While we have our tasks, Stell and Blue will take Clone-Mary to try and replicate that attack and capture as much as you can. Improvise if you have to. I WILL be joining you that evening but I will do my best to time it before what happens on the roof. I WILL get you out of there." He vowed, facing Clone Mary at the end.

She smiled, but she knew it was a coin toss on her living to the end of the night.

"Sir!" Stell spoke up. "Why are we trying to replicate those events, wouldn't it be better if we just waited here?"

"True. But with what the rest of us are doing, we can't afford to have the Resisty's focus on us. Let alone Red's. We need to get this done as quickly as possible. We only have knowledge of what they're doing tonight. Tomorrow is not yet determined. With the Raid, we can't be sure what their plan is or even what the aftermath of the fight will be."

"Actually…" Purple spoke up this time. They all looked at him. "The raid was my fault. The entire point of it was to confirm this device's existence. Those that went just wanted an excuse to see inside your base or have bragging rights that they even got in at all."

"Oh yeah, you mentioned that earlier right?" Mary pointed at him, remembering.

"Indeed."

Zim squinted at him considering. "When did you plan such a raid?"

"A few days ago. And then… I ran off this morning." He facepalmed.

"So the raid could happen at any time…" Clone Mary trailed.

"COMPUTER! Any signs of intruders?!" Zim demanded.

As if expecting the order- No signs of intruders detected. All security systems are still operational.

Relief spread through the room.

"Very well. The fact still stands. The raid could happen on time or at any point."

Everyone agreed.

"So, to repeat. Mary, you are with myself and Purple. After the call, you are going to the Massive or where Tak and Skooge directs you. Gather as Many Gaz's as you can."

She saluted and walked over to stand by him, joined by Purple.

"The rest of you will keep everyone focused away from us. All eyes on you. That is vital. The quicker we get our tasks done, the quicker we will come to your aid. Also… The more Gaz's show up the more back up we will have over all…" Zim grinned and started to laugh darkly.. He couldn't wait until later!

Mary leaned away from him. But also grinning. Tonight is definitely going to be interesting!

"I have a request!" Mary spoke up waving her hand to get his attention.

"Oh?"

"YOU mister, need take a year or two off when we get to the past!" She pointed at him and he leaned back in shock.

"Eh?!"

"You heard me! It's been AGES since you last saw Dib! If you just up and take charge again, then what was the point?! YOU need a vacation! The changes you want to do can wait a year or two! Purple can EASILY kick past Red and Purple's butts in line in your absence! Hell, Tak and Skooge would probably help once cloned! Oh yes... you REALLY need this time to yourself and Dib." She crossed her arms to wink at him.

Snorts and snickers echoed across the room.

"Seconded." Blue raised his hand. "Go, woo your man!" Blue wiggled his non existent eyebrows and gave a shit-eating grin. Stell copied him and gave her vote in agreement. Glad Blue is teasing someone else for a change.

Purple was actually impressed by how red Zim's face had gotten.

After much stuttering, he settled for picking up Mary in his arms and storming out, practically steaming with how much he blushed. Mary just grinned and waved back.

"Good Luck! I'll see you later!" She called out from down the hall.

They waved as Purple followed him out.

~/~

The Call.

As Zim strode in the room and gently settled Mary in a nearby swivel chair, he sat down on another and started to connect a call to Tak. Using a PAK leg, he brought Mary closer to him, much to her amusement.

"Wee!" She raised her arms and succeeded in getting a laugh out of him. Purple stood out of sight at Zim's signal and waited for his cue.

After a minute, it showed Tak on the Massive Bridge.

"Sir!" Giving a salute, Zim saluted back. "May I ask the meaning of this call? Our usual call isn't until another Earth hour."

Zim grinned. At that moment, Tak finally noticed Mary.

Seeing her shock, he intervened. "Indeed. I am calling due to unusual circumstances."

She glared at him suspiciously. "Zim… What's going on?"

"Gaz Tak. Please go to a secure line. What I have to tell you is top secret. In that line, connect every Gaz at our disposal."

Tak just gaped like a fish at him. "R-Right away Zim!" The call disconnected.

Mary just got comfy. It's going to be a long story...