The Voot Cruiser took off just before the self destruct sequence initiated. The ship struggled to stay ahead of the fiery explosions and debris. Various pieces of the planet would make contact here and there but not hard enough to cause serious damage.
Dib held on tightly to his seat, completely nerve racked as the ship twisted and turned. He wondered to himself how long this terrifying ride would last as he felt his stomach flip.
At last after what seemed like hours the Voot slowed down. Dib couldn't hold back his nausea anymore and threw himself out his seat and vomited.
The Computer sighed and released a hose from overhead to vacuum up the mess.
"Gahhh sorry about that…" Dib gasped flinching a bit when he felt a sharp pain in both his arms.
For the first time since their escape he really took in the damage he caused himself. His arms were blistered and red and his flesh was melded into the metal gauntlets.
"Dib human… I recommend treatment in one of my master's healing pods immediately" the Computer said
"Are we out of danger?" Dib asked
"For now… not that you'd be much help in your condition" Computer answered.
"Fair enough… but what about Zim? Can you fix him?" Dib asked
"Maybe" he answered
Dib got up slowly holding the sides of the ship for support. He looked at Zim and saw that he was at the mercy of his robot who was messing with his face.
"Master! Master! Stop it! Your face is making me SAAAAD!!" Gir wailed with tears overflowing from his face.
Dib looked like he wanted to help but the computer moved him to the healing pod with his metal claw.
"Don't worry about those two I'll take care of it" the Computer assured him.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Dib asked
"Don't make me throw you out into deep space kid!" the Computer snapped
"Okay okay! I was just curious!" Dib pouted
Dib entered the healing pod and winced again feeling sharp paralyzing pain shoot throughout his body. He laid down and was soothed by a cooling sensation of greenish blue electricity that seemed to heal his wounds miraculously albeit slowly. He decided their was nothing else he could do at the moment and let sleep take him while he healed.
Meanwhile Gir was still torturing his master in the worst way. He was crying hysterically and twisting Zim's face into a smile.
"I… I DON'T LIKE THIS! …I DON'T LIKE WHEN YOU'RE LIKE THIS… I GOTTA FIX YOUUU!!" Gir cried
The Computer grabbed Gir by the shoulders and led him to the fridge hoping that would distract the little guy.
"Why don't you eat snacks Gir! I'll help our master" Computer suggested.
Gir sniffled "P….P.. PROMISSSE?"
"I promise"
Zim was breathing hard still unable to move though trying to in vain.
"Hold on Zim…" the Computer said before beginning a scan on his master.
"Good news the effects of the cryogun should be wearing off in a just a couple minutes" he said
Zim gripped his seat hard, anxiously awaiting the effects to wear off, his fury and sorrow were overwhelming. He needed a release but so far has been powerless to do anything besides think and regret.
The Voot stopped at a vacant planet that was in front of an asteroid belt. Zim breathed hard again slowly regaining feeling in his body.
"Just throwing this out there sir… but that planet is completely devoid of life… if you want to let off some steam" Computer suggested.
Earth
Gaz was about to leave when her father stopped her suddenly.
"I implore you daughter! You can have your work brought here! There's no need for you to leave in your state!" Membrane pleaded
"I'm pregnant not dead Dad!" Gaz replied
"Yes but I promised not to leave your side! I doubt you want me to accompany you to all your classes" he rambled before she cut him off.
"It'll just be a couple hours, and I'll be right back! Besides I'll have Mini Moose with me!" She said pointing to the floating creature.
"Nya!" he squeaked
The Professor shaked his head knowing all too well that when Gaz made up her mind there was little one could do to stop her.
"At least let me give you something before you go…" he relented.
"Okay… fine" she said.
He left and came back with a weird type of metal pregnancy armor and put it on her quickly.
"What the hell Dad? Do you think someone is gonna try and murder me?" she asked surprised
"All I know is I will feel much better letting you go if you wear this! Just put your jacket over it so you don't look suspicious" Membrane explained
Gaz growled but deep down appreciated the gesture. Her father was always so busy but now not only has he put work on hold for her, he was also thinking of ways to help her and her future babies.
"Thanks Dad! I'll see you later ok?" she said and pulled him in for a hug.
"Come straight home Gaz! I'll be worried!" he ordered and looked at Mini Moose
"Make sure nothing happens to her alright?" he asked
"Nya!" he squeaked
"I'm just going to school for a few hours damn!" Gaz laughed slightly before heading out the door.
Space
Dib was awakened by the violent shaking of the Voot Cruiser and ear splitting explosions. He stumbled out of the healing pod to try and comprehend what was going on.
He got up and tried to look out the window but kept getting blinded by the harsh flashes of explosions in the distance.
"WHAT'S GOING ON? WHERE'S ZIM? " Dib tried to yell over the sounds of the thunderous blasts.
"He's… expressing himself" Computer answered.
Another barrage of blasts shook the ship again knocking Dib down.
"SHOULD I GO OUT THERE? I MEAN HE'S PRETTY UNHINGED! WHAT IF HE DAMAGES THE SHIP?" Dib asked
"Uhhh… I don't know if your presence would make things better or worse at this point" Computer said
"He's right! It's MY fault Skoodge died! If I didn't insist on talking to Tak, we all could've escaped" Dib thought to himself in horror.
Little pieces of asteroids started to sprinkle the ship.
"I WAS just going to let him get this out of his system… but maybe you should stop him now" Computer suggested and brought a space suit to Dib.
Zim continued blasting away at the lifeless planet in a blind fury.
"IT…. WASN'T…SUPPOSED…TO BE THIS WAY!!!!"
He drops his gatling gun and pulls out a futuristic rocket launcher and fires again.
"WE WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE OUT THE TALLEST TOGETHER!!!!"
Gir stood silently by his master and picked up his discarded weapons with a solemn look.
Zim brought out his PAK lasers and fired rapidly
"WHY DID YOU DO IT? YOU MORON! WHYYYY!!!!??? HOW DARE YOU USE YOUR NEW FOUND FREEDOM TO SACRIFICE YOURSELF!!!! ESPECIALLY FOR ME!!!!"
Zim's screams were bloodcurdling almost rivaling the very explosions he was creating. Dib hovered over hesitantly not knowing how the agonized Irken would react to him. Zim just gave him a glare but seized his firing and avoided eye contact with him afterwards.
"Zim… I'm sorry…it's my"
"Shut up Dib! Go back to the ship!"
Dib was taken aback but
"No Zim! I understand you're upset but"
"YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING YOU FILTHY WORM!!!" Zim snarled
Dib at that point had never seen Zim with such frightening hatred in his eyes that was only countered by the pain is his voice.
Dib gulped and stood frozen debating on what to do. His first instinct was to leave him alone but at the same time he felt an overwhelming responsibility for his suffering and for the first time, he wasn't enjoying it.
Zim turned away from him and grabbed his arms.
"I treated Skoodge… like garbage" Zim muttered
"He was tough and resilient, dependable and loyal to a fault, he was always there for me no matter how many times I threw him to the wolves for my own benefit! " Zim's voice began to shake.
He took another deep breath and his body crumbled slightly
"I just always assumed… he'd always be there because that's the kind of guy Skoodge was! Even now my STUPID mind cannot comprehend that he is NOT COMING BACK THIS TIME!" he yelled and threw a bomb into the planet.
"No… you cannot possibly begin to understand… what it feels like to lose someone you took advantage of…AND TO MAKE TO IT WORSE…" Zim started to laugh "He was killed by MY OWN CREATION!!!"
Zim cackled and sobbed at the same time. Gir hugged his leg tightly.
Dib sighed and went to reach for his shoulder but retracted his hand. The only other time he had seen Zim so upset was before the florpus incident so long ago. He wasn't sure how to react then and he sure as hell doesn't know how to react now.
"I've…never dealt with anything like this before… I've caused countless deaths in my lifetime but this the only one that… affects me" Zim rambled through his deep sobs still not wanting to face the human he was confessing to.
Dib trembled as he gazed upon what he used to consider the ultimate evil alien break down before him.
"It's not exactly the same but I know the feeling of being powerless to stop someone you love from dying" Dib began
Zim's antennae perked up at this and Dib considered it a sign to continue.
"My mother died… right in front of me, there was nothing I could do but watch" he continued
"Gaz has mentioned your mother unit before but she never said much about what happened, she usually changes the subject" Zim said
"That's because she feels guilty, our mom died giving birth to her, she blames herself" Dib said
Zim shot up from his crouched position suddenly and shot Dib a frightened look that seemed to pierce through him.
"Your mother died during CHILDBIRTH?!" Zim asked with a shudder
Dib himself just had a realization, they were so focused on trying to prolong Zim's life that neither one of them considered that the very same thing could happen to Gaz.
"She never told me that! How many children was she expecting? How often does this occur? Can it be prevented? It HAS to preventable!" Zim started to panic and grabbed Dib by the shoulders.
Dib was startled by the almost insane amount of dread in his voice, the absolute fear in his ruby eyes.
"S..s..she was only expecting Gaz and no it wasn't preventable… sometimes shit happens and there's nothing you can do" Dib said shakily
"I don't believe you! You humans just give up too easily!" Zim snapped
"FUCK YOU ZIM! I watched my Dad try frantically to save my mother's life! He did everything he could! It nearly destroyed him!" Dib screamed and punched Zim away from his face.
Dib was breathing hard trying to contain himself. Zim just stared at him slightly annoyed.
"I know you don't understand the severity of these things but the way my mother's death affected us is not unlike how Skoodge's death is affecting you right now" Dib said harshly
There was a solemn moment of silence between them. Dib still emotionally distraught staring down the now confused looking alien
"I apologize Dib Beast!" Zim said quietly
Dib's eyes bulged out his head
"YOU WHAT???" Dib asked loudly
"Don't make me say it again!" Zim growled with his arms crossed.
"I'm just… shocked you never apologize!" Dib yelled
"Don't get used to it! Zim rarely makes mistakes! I can understand how my comment made you react that way, If I was in your father's position I wouldn't want anyone to tell me I didn't try" he said
Dib relaxed and smiled slightly.
"Who would've ever thought Zim would be the emotionally mature one? The old Zim would have laughed in my face, both for the weak punch and my feelings… maybe he is capable of changing" Dib was lost in his thoughts
"Wipe that smile off your face and get back to the ship! Oh and by the way Dib stink…" Zim began
"Yeah?" Dib asked
"This conversation…. Never happened got it?" Zim said
"Psh! Who am I gonna tell? Even if I did tell anyone they'd just call me crazy" Dib laughed
Zim laughed "Yeah I suppose you have a point for once!"
"Yaaay everyone is laughing hee hee!" Gir squealed.
They all made their way back inside the ship and took off their space helmets. Zim looked at Dib's arms and started laughing hysterically.
"What's so funny asshole?" Dib asked
"Hahaha! It's just that I'm sooo glad I tested those arm gauntlets on you before I gave them to Gaz!" Zim laughed
Dib's brow furrowed "Yeah thanks a lot dick! You fucking suck at making weapons!" he shot back.
"Come on Dib! You should be happy you prevented her from getting injured… and me from getting murdered hahaha!" Zim cackled
Dib sighed and ignored him. He didn't want to admit it but he was glad Zim was laughing again, even if it was at his expense.
Dib went to sit in his chair and relax while they began the trip back to earth until Zim startled him once again.
"Computer can you locate Tak's ship?"Zim asked.
"Processing!" Computer replied.
"What? Why Zim? She thinks we're dead! She won't be bothering us anymore!" Dib asked hysterically and grabbed Zim's arm
"Do not question me! Dib Shit!" Zim hissed and shoved Dib away
"I KNOW you're mad about Skoodge! But we BARELY escaped last time! What if she uses that gun again?" Dib asked desperately.
"I HAVE to track her down Dib! She knows too much! Thanks to YOUR big mouth!" Zim hissed in anger
"Tak was only after you! She has no reason to go after Gaz! She wouldn't go that far! She hated killing those smeets!" Dib yelled
"If the Tallest command her to take out Gaz she will! It's the way Irkens are programmed to be!" Zim yelled
"Tak's ship located on planet earth!" Computer responded
Dib looked at the screen in horror
"No! No it can't be! Why? How could she do this?" Dib thought to himself.
Tak's Ship/ Earth
Tak had landed her ship in a deserted area just outside of the city. She was quickly typing commands to her computer to rebuild her base.
She and MiMi exited the ship while the base was being built in their old disguises.
"We need new disguises MiMi! Gaz will definitely recognize us if she saw us, also I need more intel. Dib looked significantly different, who knows what SHE looks like now" Tak rambled to her cat like robot.
MiMi chirped happily
"NO HE WASN'T CUTE!!! HE WAS A DISGUSTING BIG HEADED CREEP!!!" Tak shrieked so loud she echoed.
She stood awkwardly in shock of how loud she allowed herself to get.
"Anyway he's dead now! So stop your teasing MiMi! We have to take this mission seriously! Gaz was a formidable opponent even as a child… I can only imagine how much stronger she's gotten over the years, to discount her abilities would most likely be fatal" Tak rambled
"Hell that's most likely the reason Zim cozied up to her, to ensure his own survival! He's such a coward! And I cannot believe she would allow herself to be swayed by such a moron!" she hissed.
The base was finished shortly and she stepped inside.
"Computer give me all the information you have on the human female Gaz Membrane" Tak commanded.
A screen dropped from the ceiling with a recent picture of Gaz and various stats about her. Tak's eyes darted quickly across all the information.
"Gazlene Membrane, age 22, height 5'4, weight 125lbs… her hair is longer now…same squinty eye look… master of assorted mixed martial arts…almost arrested on four different occasions for voluntarily manslaughter…Prefers melee weapons…" Tak read aloud skimming through her profile.
Tak growled and pulled at her antennae in irritation.
"It's worse than I thought, she's crazy dangerous! She already has me at a disadvantage for height alone! This is NOT going to be easy!" Tak complained
MiMi made a low robotic noise.
Tak looked to her robot companion on shock.
"You have GOT to be kidding!" Tak said
MiMi made that same robotic noise again. Tak took a deep breath.
"I suppose you're right MiMi! It would catch her off guard and certainly make things easier…. But I hate him so much how can I pretend to BE him!" Tak complained holding her head.
"But you're right my pet… Become someone she trusts, get her alone and off guard and take her out quickly! Should be simple enough" she contemplated
Tak began working on her new disguise while simultaneously looking up more information on Zim to make sure she got his disguise and mannerisms correct.
"He still talks like a dumbass and wears those contacts but at least he's changed the wig slightly!" she muttered to herself.
Elsewhere On Earth
Gaz and Mini Moose got on the bus. Gaz snickered to herself amused by the fact that nobody blinked an eye at the floating purple moose following her around.
"Nya?" he squeaked
"I only go because I want to be a video game designer, no one really puts effort into creating enjoyable game play anymore! They just throw some shit together quickly to make a profit! Makes me sick!" she ranted
"Nya?" he asked
"You're right! I DO understand you now! Huh weird" she shrugged her shoulders.
Tak was now fully in her disguise walking amongst the humans trying to find her target.
"How many damned humans have purple hair? She should be here soon according to my data she attends this college… where are you?" she thought to herself becoming more uneasy.
Suddenly she saw a bus pull up and sure enough her target exited said vehicle with a blank expression followed by what was surely one of Zim's stupid companions.
" Okay Tak it's show time… just take out this human and all your troubles will be over…you'll be set for life…"
Space
"Computer! Am I within range of the teleporter?" Zim asked
"Negative" Computer responded
Zim growled and jumped into the driver seat and furiously started the Voot Cruiser's hyper speed throwing Dib and Gir back violently.
"Zim!? How about a WARNING before you do that?" Dib screamed
Zim didn't respond he was too busy flying the ship manually. He was hoping that maybe without autopilot he could get there faster.
Dib struggled to get up due to the insane speed of the ship and his uncomfortable position he was thrown into.
"Zim! Did you forget, my Dad is with Gaz! He can protect her! Calm down!" Dib screeched.
"YOU'RE TESTING WHAT LITTLE PATIENCE I HAVE DIB SHIT! I'M NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES!" Zim yelled back
"Aww man everyone's fightin again!" Gir said.
"I understand that! I'm upset too! But you're not going to help Gaz by crashing us into a meteor with your reckless driving!" Dib argued.
"You DARE doubt my piloting abilities? This is YOUR fault to begin with Dib! Know now that I will NOT hesitate to destroy Tak this time! If you plan on interfering I will TAKE YOU OUT!" Zim hissed
Dib gulped and glared not really able to come up with a comeback. It WAS his fault and he knew it.
"Damn it Tak! How am I supposed to defend you this time? You've gone too far… but I still don't want you to die! Why couldn't you just trust me?" he thought to himself before Gir threw what looked like jello all over him.
"YOOOU BETTER EAT some of these snacks before I Dooo!" Gir laughed.
Earth
Tak got closer to Gaz, within firing range of her cryogun. Just before she was about to shoot however she was suddenly jerked back violently causing her to drop her gun.
"Zim? Is that really you buddy? Oh Wow it's been so long!!!" a strange boy with red eyes was embracing her tightly.
"Oh… yes.. It has uhhh"
"It's me Keef!!!" he screamed with joy
Gaz entered the building, unknowingly giving Tak the slip. Tak growled having lost her opportunity and shoved the creepy human away. She tried to find her gun but was once again thrown off by the annoying human.
"OH ZIM! IT'S JUST LIKE OLD TIMES! I MISSED BEING SHOVED AROUND BY YOU!!! I miss everything about you…" he said in husky voice hugging her around the waist.
He sniffed her slightly.
"You smell nicer than you used too… I like your old smell better!" he said.
"GET OFF ME YOU HORRID INSECT!" she screamed and kicked him in the balls.
"Hurts…so…good!" he mumbled curled up in ball on the ground.
Tak shuddered in disgust.
" That is by far the creepiest creature I have EVER encountered!" she thought still trying to find her gun.
Finally she found it… in pieces.
"Nooo! This is NOT my day! It will take weeks to repair!" she thought to herself rubbing her head.
"No matter… I can still complete my mission it will just be more challenging"
She decided to wait for Gaz to exit the building again before making her next move… but first she needed to take out Zim's minion following her around.
She used a device to lock on to the nearest Irken tech and effectively shut it down.
Gaz was in class barely paying attention to the lecture and trying her best to stay awake before noticing Mini Moose fall to the ground suddenly. She picked up and tried to see what was wrong with him.
"Ahem Gazlene can you play with your toy after class please?" the teacher asked
Gaz gave the teacher a death stare.
"Of course you don't HAVE to! Just a suggestion" the teacher laughed nervously.
Gaz ignored the teacher and the rest of the class.
"What the hell Mini Moose? You were just fine! Does he need to be plugged in or something?" she pondered.
Space
"NO…NO NO! DAMN IT!!! FUCK!!" Zim yelled
"What's wrong now?" Dib asked
"Mini Moose has gone offline! He was with Gaz! Do I need to paint you a picture of what's going on here Dib!" he screeched
Dib had a horrible feeling deep in his gut.
"How much longer until we get there?" he asked.
"Even at top speed we're still an hour away!" Zim yelled.
"Fuck!" Dib shouted
Dib was starting to have another panic attack. The thought of being helpless to stop his baby sister from being killed was weighing heavy on his heart.
"Uh oh… he's getting broken again!" Gir sang
An Hour Later: Earth/ Membrane House
Zim crashed the Voot outside the house and jetted outside the ship. The Professor was talking to his employees through a floating screen in the living room before noticing the crash.
"Excuse me! I have family matters to attend to!" he announced before hanging up.
Zim busted through the door
"Gaz! Where… is she?" he asked breathing hard and ignoring his injures from the crash.
"Zim! You look horrible! Where's Dib?" The professor shouted.
"He's in the back! Where is Gaz? You said you wouldn't leave her!" Zim asked
The Professor sighed with guilt
"I apologize Zim she must be sick of me, she insisted on going back to school without me" he answered
"WHAT!?" Zim screamed
Dib and Gir entered next looking busted up.
"SON! Wha… what happened?" he ran to his injured son.
"Doesn't matter… got to get to Gaz" Dib gasped.
While their backs were turned had already left them behind. He quickly put on his disguise and headed towards the college.
Gaz stepped out of the building with a bored expression, regretting her decision to come back so soon. She was starving and her stomach was going nuts. It was hard to ignore and it had only been an hour. She sat down at one of the lunch benches to check out Mini Moose again before feeling two gloved "hands" on her shoulders.
"Did you miss me Gaz Love?"
She whipped her head around so fast it nearly knocked him over.
"Zim? When did you get back?" she asked.
"Shortly after you left! I would've waited for you to come home but I missed you too much my love pig!" he said dramatically
"Love pig? He hasn't used that one in years"
Gaz glared at him suspiciously. He backed up nervously.
"What's wrong Little Gaz?" he asked
"Little Gaz?"
"Where is Dib?" She asked.
He laughed anxiously "Your pig smelly brother unit is back at the house of course!"
Gaz's glare slightly softened and she sighed.
"Don't worry Gaz love! I didn't kill him he's just being a pathetic worm baby after the trip! Come let's go back together" he smirked.
"Alright…" she said coldly.
"Why are you being so distant with Zim? Do I do something wrong?" he asked with a pouty face.
"Aren't you going to ask about Mini Moose?" she asked with a raised brow
"Oh no! My poor minion! Don't worry little Gaz! Zim will fix him in no time!" he assured her.
"It's just funny… how he was JUST fine before you showed up…" she said
"He must have become overjoyed at my arrival and malfunctioned as a result" he explained.
"Honestly Love Pig! Zim is hurt deeply by all this distrust! I mean after all this time THIS is how you greet your lover after his daring space adventure?" he asked with a sorrowful look.
Gaz balled her fist but softened her face.
"Sorry Zim… I've just been on edge since you left" she said
He put his arm around her shoulder.
"All is forgiven, come now Zim will tell you all about how I mercilessly destroyed my own planet!" he shouted with glee as they walked away.
Zim was sprinting to Gaz's college not even thinking as he knocked over many of the humans in his path without a second glance.
"If that bitch lays one claw on her head I'll personally send her's back to the Tallest!" he thought
He stopped instantly when he saw what looked like himself and Gaz walking in the distance. Tak seen him out the corner of her eye, she shot him a devious smirk.
A/N: I apologize in advance if this chapter sucks! I had a lot of interruptions and issues going on while writing it and honestly went through at least three rough drafts lol. It may not be perfect but no one can say I'm not trying lol. As always thank you for taking time to read this story! I appreciate every favorite and follow and review I get!