Disclaimer: I don't own any Invader Zim characters, Jhonen Vasquez is the creator, but I don't know who owns the show anymore…

Part 2: Enter Midnight

Zak slowly descended the many levels of the Massive. He gulped audibly and prayed. His hands were shaking visibly.

BZZZZTT!

Zak screeched and jumped. He looked around quickly for the source of the sound and realized it was only the elevator.

"Reaching desired destination", the elevator's robotic voice rang out.

DING!

The double doors slid open, revealing a dimly lit hallway.

Zak stepped off the elevator, his pulse quickened. There was only one door, he could see it. Red Irken numbers flashed angrily in the dimness.

666.

Zak slowly approached and reached towards the door with one hand.

If all he had to do was knock and tell Midnight that the Tallest sent for her, why was he scared witless?

His gloved hand touched the door with a muted tap…

Suddenly, a figure dropped on Zak from above. Zak struggled and panicked. He tried to scream out, but the stranger's hand was wrapped across his mouth.

A harsh, unused voice rasped in his ear, "You breathe too loudly, Irken. Who are you, red-eyed one?"

The hand slipped from his mouth, allowing him to speak.

Words spilled from him in a rush, "I-I-I'm Zak! Don't hurt me! I have a message from the Tallest!"

The weight of the stranger suddenly left him and he leapt up and whipped around.

A tall (a couple of inches shorter than the Tallest), skinny, shadowy figure loomed in front of him.

"You're tall!" Zak gasped.

"Am I? Perhaps… I haven't seen another Irken for ages…" The dark figure touched the door and it slid open in acknowledgement. The dark figure gestured into the room, "Come in."

Zak didn't have much of a choice. He hesitantly stepped into the darkness. The figure laughed, "Relax little one, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have even let you step in the hallway…"

Zak couldn't suppress a violent shudder.

The lights switched on, revealing a surprisingly neat, black and white dwelling. There was a total lack of color.

"Turn around and face me, Zak."

Zak paused and then turned around slowly. His jaw dropped.

A tall, pale-green, female Irken in ragged black clothing that was obviously outgrown through out the years. Her appearance was barbaric from the tips of her antennae, down to her steel-tipped boots. Jet black eyes met his. Her right antenna was pierced with three silver hoops and over her left brow were three small spikes. Even her teeth were filed to sharp points.

The tall female smiled, but it was a smile that never reached the cold, black eyes. "Pretty, am I not?" The words dripped with sarcasm.

Zak shook his head "No". She was pretty… quite pretty, de facto. "No, you are quite pretty…" he whispered.

"HAH! You're lying! I'm fucking ugly! I'm so fucking ugly on the inside. That's all that matters…" The female spat.

Zak began to tremble again and the female smiled cruelly.

"I suppose you know who I am? The Tallest MUST have told you… but I insist on introducing myself anyway. I am Invader Midnight, Assassin P-666. So, Zak, what do those moronic Tallest want from me?"

Zak's eyes widened from shock. No one EVER insults the Tallest!

"SPEAK!" A black flash crossed Midnight's eyes.

Zak went rigid and words automatically fell from his lips, "The Tallest sent me to fetch you. They want to see you. It is important."

Midnight released the mental grip she had on Zak and he stumbled, apparently back to normal.

"They want to see me? They must be very desperate…hmmm", Midnight muttered to herself. She shoved Zak back out the door, into the dim hallway once more, "I know this is a stupid cliché, but I could care less. Take me to your leader!"

The two Irkens stepped onto the elevator silently.

"Why did you choose to be isolated down there, all alone?" Zak asked, breaking the silence.

Midnight's eye twitched and Zak panicked.

"I mean… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked…"

"No… It's all right… I knew you were going to ask sometime… Surely you know of the mission, Impending Doom 1…"

Zak nodded, gravely.

"Foiled by that imbecile, ZIM! Well, not ALL the Invaders were blown up, as the Tallest have said. I was not. I survived, however Zim destroyed my ship ALONG WITH MY BROTHER AND MY LIFE!!" Midnight spat, bitterly.

To be continued… Next chapter will be a flashback...