My thanks to those who reviewed so far!
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. You had the right to know."
Len's claws dug into the Tallest's shoulders. Silu didn't flinch. He let the pain flow through his body. He held Len close in a protective embrace.
"Why did he have to go? Why did he die?" Len cried into Silu's chest.
"I wish I could tell you Len." I really wish I could. "I'm sorry."
"What am I going to do? What will happen to me without him? He took care of me…"
Silu lifted Len's chin so he could see his face. "Len, there's nothing to be afraid of. You're going to be alright." He smiled softly. "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. You're here with me now."
"Mek's gone! What will I do without him? Silu, he was my brother!"
"Len, Mek will always be with you. I know he wouldn't want you to be sad. He wants you to be strong. He wants you to move on."
Silu wiped the tears from Len's face with his finger. Len stared up at him, searching his silver eyes.
"I don't want to be alone," Len whimpered.
Silu held him close. "You're not alone Len," he said softly. "I'm going to keep you."
Len picked his head up. "What?"
"I know I can't take the place of your brother, but I'll do the best I can to be your father."
-
Red tapped the security code to Purple's room. The door swished open to the side and Red stepped in. He saw Purple lying on his bed on his side, with his back to Red. He looked asleep. Red went to the bedside. He waited to see if Purple responded but he remained still.
"I haven't seen you so depressed in a long time." Purple remained silent and limp.
"When are you gonna get over it?" Red saw Purple's antennae twitch. He was awake and he was listening. Red pushed further against his nerves.
"You can't just stay locked up in your room all day, you know."
"Please, Red, just leave me alone." Purple knew he was only encouraging Red.
"Hey, I'm your friend Purple. Maybe if you'd tell me what's wrong, I…"
"You wouldn't understand Red."
The crimson Tallest narrowed his eyes. "You say that a lot. Don't you ever think I possibly could?"
Purple ignored him. Red sighed. "I just want to help." He sat on the bed next to Purple.
The violet Tallest turned his head to look at Red. He sat up straight. "I'm sorry. It's just…I never knew why my brother went away," he said quietly.
Red cocked his head. "Your brother? I didn't know you had a brother."
"He's dead now."
"Oh…sorry."
"It happened a long time ago, when I was a kid." Purple willed the old images out of his head. They pelted at him almost relentlessly, trying to make him relive the moments.
"What happened?" That was the question Purple was dreading but he knew Red would ask it in time.
Purple looked at him. The blood red eyes were bright and curious, full of energy and life. He saw the flame inside them flicker and Red suddenly caught himself.
"Sorry, I don't mean to prod." Red knew Purple remained quiet about things unless it was critically necessary that the other know about it. Or until he could no longer keep the dam from breaking. Red knew Purple would tell him one day, he would just have to be patient with him like always.
"Look," Red began, "I know you're sad, but you need to see the bright side of things."
Purple fixed his eyes on him.
"You said it happened a long time ago right? You shouldn't let something like that burden you."
Purple stared intently at him and Red returned his gaze. Purple gave him a weak smile and stood up. "You know, I haven't eaten all day. Do you care to join me?"
"See? That's better." Red got up and followed him out into the hall. When he was alongside Purple, he put his arm around the other's shoulder and smiled happily. "There's nothing to worry about Pur," he said teasingly. "I'm here to protect you."
Purple smiled and stared at the floor. "I know you are."
-
The dream made him remember. He saw the wide open fields, the green grass waving in the breeze. The air was cool and fresh. The sky was the purest of blues, dotted with white clouds, reflecting in the glistening lake. Turning around, he saw Laron's Palace. It was long and wide, built into the side of a hill, covered in vines that crawled up the walls and surrounded by trees. The Sirian leader had called a meeting with Tallest Silu and several representatives from other worlds. Though he did not know what was discussed at the gathering, Purple remembered Laron granting them stay at his estate. Silu made sure he took time off to be with his newly adopted son. Purple remembered being with Silu and exploring Laron's planet and palace. Those few days on Siria were ones Purple would never forget.
The images swirled in his head. The treetops dancing in the wind, the sunlight coming in beams through the palace windows high above the floor, Silu's form towering over him, providing him with shade, his father's silver eyes. His eyes were kind and caring, strong and firm, protective and loyal. Purple could see his brother in those eyes. He didn't want to lose them.
Purple awoke to a knock on his door. Not ready to give up his treasured memories to the present, he ignored it and made himself comfortable again. He sighed, irritated, when he heard the door open. He knew it was Red. He was the only one who knew the code to his room and the only one who made it a point to bother him at every possible moment. Purple just waited for the remark to come.
"You sure sleep late when you're given the chance," Red growled. Purple smirked but Red couldn't see it. "Anyway, you should get up. Laron left a message for us. He wants us to contact him." Red sounded slightly annoyed at being summoned but that wasn't what caught Purple's attention.
"Laron?"
Red sighed. "Yep. So get up. We better see what he wants." As Red left his room, Purple slowly got out of bed.
-
"Tallest Red, Tallest Purple, it's good to see you again." Laron, the Sirian leader, greeted them.
"Yes, Laron, we're glad to see you too," Red said, looking at Purple uneasily.
Laron smiled. He was almost similar to the humans Zim found on Earth, only the Sirians were much taller and highly advanced. "There are matters we need to discuss." His crystal blue eyes turned solid and serious. "We have somewhat of a situation on our hands." The two Tallest watched him curiously. "A turncoat Tulok has come to the Sirian Council asking for protection from the lead Tulok members."
Red narrowed his eyes. "And?"
"He requested that we bring him before you. He wants an audience with you."
"For what reason?"
"To negotiate an alliance."
"Why didn't he come to us first then?" Red asked curiously.
Laron grinned. "He knows the history between his people and yours. He said he was afraid you'd shoot first."
Red turned to Purple who seemed to be deep in thought although he looked slightly disturbed. He fixed his eyes back on the Sirian. "Have you been able to get any other information out of him?"
"Unfortunately no. He offers to share the knowledge he has of the Tulok military and their whereabouts if we agree to bring him before you. We have taken extreme precautions though. We know Tulok treachery can run deep."
"That might help us take care of them for good, but this just doesn't seem right. Why would he wait so long to come forward?"
"They could be planning something," Purple finally spoke. He shifted uneasily. Inside he was beginning to feel a fear he hadn't felt in a long time.
Laron stared at him for a while before speaking. "If you wish, we will continue to detain him here until the council decides what is to be done with him. He does not know I have contacted you."
Red couldn't help but notice that Laron was talking directly to Purple. He studied his companion carefully. His eyes were focused on the floor and his brow was creased. Red did not like the feeling he was getting. He turned back to Laron.
"We'll have a look at him. If you don't mind Laron, we'd rather have the Tulok remain out of Irken airspace."
"I understand. I'll be seeing you soon then." Laron disappeared as the screen went black. Red glanced at Purple but he wasn't there. He turned to see him staring out the viewing window. Red went over to his friend and stood beside him.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, facing the glass and the void on the other side.
"I'll be fine," Purple responded, watching the stars float by.
