Chapter Seven: Battle on Altheria
Sixteen years later, around late December. Dib was now a famous paranormal investigator, married and an expecting father; Zim was the renowned conqueror of planet Sylinine, and named the first short Irken to ever conquer, putting the Tallest out of rule in trade for another Irken chosen to be more deserving. GIR was the proud owner of a soda can with a picture of the scary monkey on it, and Gaz had improved upon the latest Gameslave model.
It was in Dib's office while he was doing some research, now twenty- eight years of age, when a visitor arrived. "Dib, your wife is here to see you," his secretary said over the intercom.
"Send her in. I'd be glad to get a break and see her face." She walked in a moment later, and approached his desk.
"Think you can come home early tonight?" He backed away from the computer in his chair with little wheels at the bottom and grinned.
"I don't see why not."
"I'm making a special dinner for you tonight. Your favorite."
"Which favorite is it this time?"
"I believe it is lasagna. That's what the package says, but you never really know until it's done."
"I can understand that. I just have to finish up this report on crop circles, and then it's straight home."
"Good. I'll see you soon. But I really don't see what's so important about some circles in a patch of crops that can divert you from me."
"I just want to help solve some mysteries. After all, when I have a kid, I don't want to say I don't know about some of this stuff when he asks, right?"
"I suppose. Well, I'll see you tonight."
"Okay. Goodbye." They kissed, and just as she turned to leave, he called her back again. "I love you, Tak."
"I love you, Dib." She left, and for a moment, he remembered a time when he was roughly twelve years old that she had told him to get over her and leave her alone. Perhaps it was that attempt on Zim's part to humiliate him that made her realize she didn't really want him to leave her alone.
Zim, back on the planet Irk, received a transmission from the planet...Earth? "Earth? Why would anyone on Earth wish to contact me?" It was Tak. "Tak? What are you doing on Earth?"
"I hate you Zim, but thanks to your childish prank on Dib, you made me fall in love with him. I thank you. I am now his wife, and we are expecting a child. You ruined my life, but thanks to chance, it is better now. And if it weren't for that, he would be dead right now. Season's greetings."
"...Season's...greetings..."
"Tak here, signing off." Her image went away as the screen blanked, and Zim laughed a bit. His own prank that he'd never intended as much had actually ended up saving his enemy's life in some unforeseeable manner.
Back on Earth, Tak awaited the time Dib would return home. The door opened, and he greeted her with a hug. "How's my sweet wife doing today? All right, I hope."
"Yes. I'm fine."
"What's wrong?"
"I just...I don't know. I sent a transmission to Zim telling him that his prank on you is what made me think I loved you...but now I'm not so sure that things will work out."
"Tak, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying...I don't like how you're always working on these reports of yours about things that don't even affect us. What good is knowing about a crop circle?"
"I want to know. I don't know what good it would be. But it might be. It's a part of me to try to figure some of these things out."
"You don't spend enough time at home. What about when we have a child? Will you be at work all the time then? Leave me to take care of him alone?"
"I won't be at work so much. I promise."
"You're right. I was exaggerating. I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"Wait, I'm being called." Tak put the image on screen, and immediately saluted. "Greetings, my Tall- er, I mean, Leader Shulinze. (Shuu-lènz)"
"Who are you? Is Tak there?"
"Huh? Oh, I forgot. My disguise." She transformed back into her Irken form. "What is it you wish to discuss with me?"
"As you know, there is a war between the Irkens and the Meekrob that has been going on for a few years. Well, due to a shortage of soldiers, I regret to inform you that you have been drafted to go to war."
"But-Sir, I am to have a child. He is due for any day now."
"According the list, you are not even married."
"I didn't marry on Irk. I married here, on Earth. He is right here."
"Oh, okay. When the child is born, you are to report back here, where you will be assigned to a battle station."
"But-"
"Let me know when you'll be arriving. Bye." The screen went blank, and Tak turned back to her husband.
"I'm so sorry about this. I know it poses a problem, and I really didn't intend for it to happen-"
"Be careful out there." They embraced, and then began to talk of how their day went in a hope of lightening the mood. They had no such luck, and waited day after day in an apprehensive anticipation, for with the arrival of their son would come Tak's departure. After about three weeks, he was born, and she had to bid farewell to the two of them.
The young boy's name was Tad, and he looked basically like any normal human baby, with very pale, almost greenish skin, though his ears looked a bit pointed at the top. Tak held him tight, and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm sure he'll look just like you when he grows up some more. And be sure to send me pictures of him, too. I may be gone for a couple years. We can be on communications together. A day won't go by that I don't think of you two."
"Tak, be careful out there! Don't get yourself killed. We need you."
"I'll be careful. I love you, Dib."
"I love you, Tak." They kissed, and the image of the leader of Irk, Shulinze, appeared.
"Are you ready to leave?"
"Soon."
"Look, while you're there kissing, your planet's in danger!"
"I have a family! I have a husband and a son, I am a mother and a wife, and I deserve to say goodbye to the ones I love!"
"All right, then."
"Dib, I made up a photo album with pictures of me from the time I was a child up until now. I also wrote a note to both you and Tad, explaining my thoughts and feelings, and explaining what happened. And in the event of my death, I made out a will."
"Don't say that! You're coming home alive. Don't ask me how I know, I just know it."
"Thank you, so much. I don't know what I'd do without you." They embraced one final time, and Tak held her child once more before leaving. She was beamed to the planet Altheria, where she would fight her first battle against the Meekrob. Dib prayed her last moments of existence wouldn't be there.
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Five Years Later
"Can you tell me another story about Mom?" Five-year-old Tad looked at his father hopefully, and convinced Dib to tell another story.
"Okay. But then it's straight to bed. This one is also before you were born. You see, Zim had just - I've told you about Zim before, haven't I?"
"Just about every day."
"Well, Zim had just-"
"Dad, why isn't Mom back yet? Where exactly did she go?"
"I was afraid you'd ask that sometime. She went to another planet."
"You mean she was an astronaut?"
"No. She was - she is - I've told you about aliens, right?"
"All the time. Zim's an alien, and you always tell me of how you stopped his plans."
"Your mother - is an alien."
"Come off it, Dad. Stop joking me."
"I'm serious. She is an Irken, just like Zim - of course, far more likeable, beautiful, intelligent...everything about her is better."
"You're kidding! I've seen pictures of her before, and she looked way different from Zim!"
"That's because she has a good disguise. She looks human in those pictures. Oh, that's her right now." He turned the television screen on to view the transmission.
"Hello, Dib, Tad. How are you?"
"Mom, Dad's gone overboard with his research now. He's claiming that you're an alien from outer space!"
"He can get a little hysterical, now can't he? Look at you. You're the perfect image of Dib when he was young. You two even have the same hair."
"Mom, where are you transmitting from?"
"Tak, I think we should tell him this time."
"You're right. You see, Tad, he hasn't gone insane. I really am an Irken, like Zim."
"Don't trick me like this! Please! It's not funny!"
"Look at me. I'm going to change back into my Irken self and take my disguise off. Don't look away from the screen." He complied, and saw his mother return to normal. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you until now. We were afraid it might traumatize you or something. I love you, though. Don't forget that."
"You're...you're...you're an...alien? That means I'm..."
"Yes. You're part Irken."
"Is that why you're not here? Was I born and you just left?"
"I was drafted to go to war. I swear, when I get back, I will resign from my Irken citizenship so it doesn't happen again. I didn't want this to happen. It's my worst nightmare. I love you so much."
"Are you going to...die?"
"I hope not. I'll do everything in my power to stay alive, even if it means breaking each and every law in the galaxy. I want so much to return to you. I only got to see you the first few days after you were born. That was all. It's so wonderful to see you. When I get back, we can go get you an ice cream. We can go to the park, and I'll take you to the movies, and I'll read books with you, and tuck you in for the night. That will be the sweetest nectar of the flower of my life. To live with you two. I was married to Dib for a few years, and then you were born, and I had to leave. That has been the single most difficult thing for me to do in my life. To set you in Dib's care, to say goodbye to you, only a few days after you were born. I give you my advice, Tad - once you've found love, whether love for a person, love for doing something in life, anything - make sure that there isn't any way that you can be taken away from it. It looks like I should be coming home soon, though. We've pretty much won this battle, and that's all that I'm required to be here for. The last fight is tomorrow, and after that, I'll be coming home. It looks like you were right, Dib - I think I am coming home alive. Is there anything you'd like to ask or say, Tad?"
"I love you Mom. Good luck."
"That's the way to take it. Goodnight, sweetie. I love you too."
"Goodnight." He went to bed, and Dib remained talking to her for a couple more hours. Finally, he too, turned in, but first stopped at his son's room.
"I figured you'd be awake. I didn't expect you to fall asleep after that. She said she'd be back around seven o'clock at night. I'm going to have a surprise welcome back party for her. You can be there, and I'll be there, and we can shout out "Surprise!" when she gets home. Would you like that?"
"Yeah. But why did you keep it secret so long?"
"Well...that's a little hard to answer. We didn't want you to get worried about her dying, for one, and just because of how extraordinary this is. I bet you're the only kid on the block who's part alien. But don't let it get you down or anything like that. It's kind of cool. Something you can hold onto. A part of you. I mean, Tak and I fell in love, despite that basically she wanted to conquer Earth. Zim wanted to conquer Earth, and that would normally put your mother and I as enemies. And even after I helped foil her plan of destroying Earth, we fell in love. Of course, I liked her from the beginning when I didn't even know, but to her at that time, I was just another of the humans. Oh, those were good times. It's moments like those that make me enjoy reminiscing on my youth. We'll be seeing her again for the first time in...five years. Five long, long years. I'll understand if you don't fall asleep. It's going to be a pretty big day for me, too. Just do your best. I'll be fine with it either way. Goodnight, Tad."
"Goodnight, Dad." He left once more, and fell sound asleep rather quickly. He dreamt of his reunion with Tak, everything perfectly arranged. Truly it was the best sleep he had had in years.
Note: I sure know how to put a twist in the story, don't I? Dib and Tak together...what was I thinking when I wrote this at one in the morning? Lol!
Sixteen years later, around late December. Dib was now a famous paranormal investigator, married and an expecting father; Zim was the renowned conqueror of planet Sylinine, and named the first short Irken to ever conquer, putting the Tallest out of rule in trade for another Irken chosen to be more deserving. GIR was the proud owner of a soda can with a picture of the scary monkey on it, and Gaz had improved upon the latest Gameslave model.
It was in Dib's office while he was doing some research, now twenty- eight years of age, when a visitor arrived. "Dib, your wife is here to see you," his secretary said over the intercom.
"Send her in. I'd be glad to get a break and see her face." She walked in a moment later, and approached his desk.
"Think you can come home early tonight?" He backed away from the computer in his chair with little wheels at the bottom and grinned.
"I don't see why not."
"I'm making a special dinner for you tonight. Your favorite."
"Which favorite is it this time?"
"I believe it is lasagna. That's what the package says, but you never really know until it's done."
"I can understand that. I just have to finish up this report on crop circles, and then it's straight home."
"Good. I'll see you soon. But I really don't see what's so important about some circles in a patch of crops that can divert you from me."
"I just want to help solve some mysteries. After all, when I have a kid, I don't want to say I don't know about some of this stuff when he asks, right?"
"I suppose. Well, I'll see you tonight."
"Okay. Goodbye." They kissed, and just as she turned to leave, he called her back again. "I love you, Tak."
"I love you, Dib." She left, and for a moment, he remembered a time when he was roughly twelve years old that she had told him to get over her and leave her alone. Perhaps it was that attempt on Zim's part to humiliate him that made her realize she didn't really want him to leave her alone.
Zim, back on the planet Irk, received a transmission from the planet...Earth? "Earth? Why would anyone on Earth wish to contact me?" It was Tak. "Tak? What are you doing on Earth?"
"I hate you Zim, but thanks to your childish prank on Dib, you made me fall in love with him. I thank you. I am now his wife, and we are expecting a child. You ruined my life, but thanks to chance, it is better now. And if it weren't for that, he would be dead right now. Season's greetings."
"...Season's...greetings..."
"Tak here, signing off." Her image went away as the screen blanked, and Zim laughed a bit. His own prank that he'd never intended as much had actually ended up saving his enemy's life in some unforeseeable manner.
Back on Earth, Tak awaited the time Dib would return home. The door opened, and he greeted her with a hug. "How's my sweet wife doing today? All right, I hope."
"Yes. I'm fine."
"What's wrong?"
"I just...I don't know. I sent a transmission to Zim telling him that his prank on you is what made me think I loved you...but now I'm not so sure that things will work out."
"Tak, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying...I don't like how you're always working on these reports of yours about things that don't even affect us. What good is knowing about a crop circle?"
"I want to know. I don't know what good it would be. But it might be. It's a part of me to try to figure some of these things out."
"You don't spend enough time at home. What about when we have a child? Will you be at work all the time then? Leave me to take care of him alone?"
"I won't be at work so much. I promise."
"You're right. I was exaggerating. I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"Wait, I'm being called." Tak put the image on screen, and immediately saluted. "Greetings, my Tall- er, I mean, Leader Shulinze. (Shuu-lènz)"
"Who are you? Is Tak there?"
"Huh? Oh, I forgot. My disguise." She transformed back into her Irken form. "What is it you wish to discuss with me?"
"As you know, there is a war between the Irkens and the Meekrob that has been going on for a few years. Well, due to a shortage of soldiers, I regret to inform you that you have been drafted to go to war."
"But-Sir, I am to have a child. He is due for any day now."
"According the list, you are not even married."
"I didn't marry on Irk. I married here, on Earth. He is right here."
"Oh, okay. When the child is born, you are to report back here, where you will be assigned to a battle station."
"But-"
"Let me know when you'll be arriving. Bye." The screen went blank, and Tak turned back to her husband.
"I'm so sorry about this. I know it poses a problem, and I really didn't intend for it to happen-"
"Be careful out there." They embraced, and then began to talk of how their day went in a hope of lightening the mood. They had no such luck, and waited day after day in an apprehensive anticipation, for with the arrival of their son would come Tak's departure. After about three weeks, he was born, and she had to bid farewell to the two of them.
The young boy's name was Tad, and he looked basically like any normal human baby, with very pale, almost greenish skin, though his ears looked a bit pointed at the top. Tak held him tight, and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm sure he'll look just like you when he grows up some more. And be sure to send me pictures of him, too. I may be gone for a couple years. We can be on communications together. A day won't go by that I don't think of you two."
"Tak, be careful out there! Don't get yourself killed. We need you."
"I'll be careful. I love you, Dib."
"I love you, Tak." They kissed, and the image of the leader of Irk, Shulinze, appeared.
"Are you ready to leave?"
"Soon."
"Look, while you're there kissing, your planet's in danger!"
"I have a family! I have a husband and a son, I am a mother and a wife, and I deserve to say goodbye to the ones I love!"
"All right, then."
"Dib, I made up a photo album with pictures of me from the time I was a child up until now. I also wrote a note to both you and Tad, explaining my thoughts and feelings, and explaining what happened. And in the event of my death, I made out a will."
"Don't say that! You're coming home alive. Don't ask me how I know, I just know it."
"Thank you, so much. I don't know what I'd do without you." They embraced one final time, and Tak held her child once more before leaving. She was beamed to the planet Altheria, where she would fight her first battle against the Meekrob. Dib prayed her last moments of existence wouldn't be there.
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Five Years Later
"Can you tell me another story about Mom?" Five-year-old Tad looked at his father hopefully, and convinced Dib to tell another story.
"Okay. But then it's straight to bed. This one is also before you were born. You see, Zim had just - I've told you about Zim before, haven't I?"
"Just about every day."
"Well, Zim had just-"
"Dad, why isn't Mom back yet? Where exactly did she go?"
"I was afraid you'd ask that sometime. She went to another planet."
"You mean she was an astronaut?"
"No. She was - she is - I've told you about aliens, right?"
"All the time. Zim's an alien, and you always tell me of how you stopped his plans."
"Your mother - is an alien."
"Come off it, Dad. Stop joking me."
"I'm serious. She is an Irken, just like Zim - of course, far more likeable, beautiful, intelligent...everything about her is better."
"You're kidding! I've seen pictures of her before, and she looked way different from Zim!"
"That's because she has a good disguise. She looks human in those pictures. Oh, that's her right now." He turned the television screen on to view the transmission.
"Hello, Dib, Tad. How are you?"
"Mom, Dad's gone overboard with his research now. He's claiming that you're an alien from outer space!"
"He can get a little hysterical, now can't he? Look at you. You're the perfect image of Dib when he was young. You two even have the same hair."
"Mom, where are you transmitting from?"
"Tak, I think we should tell him this time."
"You're right. You see, Tad, he hasn't gone insane. I really am an Irken, like Zim."
"Don't trick me like this! Please! It's not funny!"
"Look at me. I'm going to change back into my Irken self and take my disguise off. Don't look away from the screen." He complied, and saw his mother return to normal. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you until now. We were afraid it might traumatize you or something. I love you, though. Don't forget that."
"You're...you're...you're an...alien? That means I'm..."
"Yes. You're part Irken."
"Is that why you're not here? Was I born and you just left?"
"I was drafted to go to war. I swear, when I get back, I will resign from my Irken citizenship so it doesn't happen again. I didn't want this to happen. It's my worst nightmare. I love you so much."
"Are you going to...die?"
"I hope not. I'll do everything in my power to stay alive, even if it means breaking each and every law in the galaxy. I want so much to return to you. I only got to see you the first few days after you were born. That was all. It's so wonderful to see you. When I get back, we can go get you an ice cream. We can go to the park, and I'll take you to the movies, and I'll read books with you, and tuck you in for the night. That will be the sweetest nectar of the flower of my life. To live with you two. I was married to Dib for a few years, and then you were born, and I had to leave. That has been the single most difficult thing for me to do in my life. To set you in Dib's care, to say goodbye to you, only a few days after you were born. I give you my advice, Tad - once you've found love, whether love for a person, love for doing something in life, anything - make sure that there isn't any way that you can be taken away from it. It looks like I should be coming home soon, though. We've pretty much won this battle, and that's all that I'm required to be here for. The last fight is tomorrow, and after that, I'll be coming home. It looks like you were right, Dib - I think I am coming home alive. Is there anything you'd like to ask or say, Tad?"
"I love you Mom. Good luck."
"That's the way to take it. Goodnight, sweetie. I love you too."
"Goodnight." He went to bed, and Dib remained talking to her for a couple more hours. Finally, he too, turned in, but first stopped at his son's room.
"I figured you'd be awake. I didn't expect you to fall asleep after that. She said she'd be back around seven o'clock at night. I'm going to have a surprise welcome back party for her. You can be there, and I'll be there, and we can shout out "Surprise!" when she gets home. Would you like that?"
"Yeah. But why did you keep it secret so long?"
"Well...that's a little hard to answer. We didn't want you to get worried about her dying, for one, and just because of how extraordinary this is. I bet you're the only kid on the block who's part alien. But don't let it get you down or anything like that. It's kind of cool. Something you can hold onto. A part of you. I mean, Tak and I fell in love, despite that basically she wanted to conquer Earth. Zim wanted to conquer Earth, and that would normally put your mother and I as enemies. And even after I helped foil her plan of destroying Earth, we fell in love. Of course, I liked her from the beginning when I didn't even know, but to her at that time, I was just another of the humans. Oh, those were good times. It's moments like those that make me enjoy reminiscing on my youth. We'll be seeing her again for the first time in...five years. Five long, long years. I'll understand if you don't fall asleep. It's going to be a pretty big day for me, too. Just do your best. I'll be fine with it either way. Goodnight, Tad."
"Goodnight, Dad." He left once more, and fell sound asleep rather quickly. He dreamt of his reunion with Tak, everything perfectly arranged. Truly it was the best sleep he had had in years.
Note: I sure know how to put a twist in the story, don't I? Dib and Tak together...what was I thinking when I wrote this at one in the morning? Lol!