Something was missing from his memory. The last thing Purple remembered was getting ready to leave his room for the meeting with the Tulok. He had blacked out before he reached the door.
"You're probably wondering how you got here," the Tulok named Korus said. Purple glared at Korus, his lifetime mortal enemy that he had never met until now. "It's simple. Our infiltrator here dressed as your counterpart and poisoned you."
Purple was released from Grey's grasp and he fell to the ground. He lifted his head and stared at Red's twin. "Grey, you traitor!" Purple growled.
Grey's only response was a conceited smirk.
"Your bother was able to trick us," Korus snarled. Purple turned his attention to him. "But I have you now. I spent years believing that you did not exist. And then, I saw you in a transmission of your coronation. One look and I knew it had to be you." He smiled evilly. "You look so much like your father. Since then, I have been building up forces, waiting for the right time to capture you." He pulled a knife from his belt. "You must despise me for killing your brother."
Korus signaled for Grey to lift Purple back up. "This is the end for you."
Korus drew the knife. Grey held Purple in place. Purple could feel his arms going numb from Grey's grip.
"You're the reason I've suffered so much," Korus growled. "How sweet it is to finally have my revenge!"
It was all Purple could do to keep from crying out as Korus swiftly ran the blade across his midsection, cutting through his armor into his skin. Korus grinned at the pain he saw on the Tallest's face. He raised his arm again and in another quick slash, cut Purple on his cheek. The Tulok leader was intent on making the Irken suffer as much as possible before his death.
"Korus! What are you doing?" Korus paused from his cutting and glared at the Tulok who interrupted him.
"Elder! I'm giving this Irken what's been coming to him for decades!"
The Tulok Elder shook his head. "Are you really so blind, Korus?"
Korus stared at him, his eyes narrow. Purple struggled to keep his eyes open. His flesh was burning where Korus had struck him.
"Elder Akai, this is the Dartak! The one we have been searching for!"
"You are mistaken Korus," Akai said flatly. "I spoke to the Oracle when I learned you had brought this creature here. This is not the child we have been waiting for."
Korus growled. "How can that be?"
"There is another, Korus."
Purple lifted his head. Silence had fallen over the room. Grey kept his grip tight on him.
"Who, Elder?" Korus demanded.
Akai's eyes drifted to the floor. "His name remains unknown, and he will not be found in this system."
"What?" Korus grabbed Purple by his throat. He struck Grey hard in the face with his free arm, knocking him to the ground. He set his eyes on the Tallest. "You try to deceive us once again! Who is this Irken the Elder speaks of? Answer!"
Purple struggled to draw breath. "I…don't…know…"
"You lie…Tell me! Who is he and where is he hiding!"
"Korus…"
Korus turned to Akai.
"The one we must find is on a world far away from here." Despite his growing lack of oxygen, Purple listened to what the Tulok was saying. "The Oracle has informed me that the planet is in the Nyar System. To, it goes by the name of Earth."
Purple's eyes shot open. No…Zim? He felt his body fall to the floor as Korus released him. He drew in as much breath as he could. Korus stepped down from the altar and strode over to Akai. Purple looked over at Grey who was lying next to him. He looked unconscious. How could you do this?
Purple lifted his antennae to try to hear what they were saying. He jumped when Grey grabbed his wrist.
"Go…" Grey said quietly, lifting his head, coming out of his daze
"Grey?"
"They'll kill you anyway if you stay. This is your chance if you want to live. If not, then wait here and die!"
Purple wasn't sure if he could trust him but was probably the best chance he had. "How do I get out?"
"Go down that hall over there. You can take one of the cargo ships."
"But, why are you doing this?"
"Just go! Or I'll alert Korus that you're attempting to escape," Grey threatened through clenched teeth. He laid his head back down and pretended to still be knocked out.
Purple glanced at Korus and the Elder, who seemed to be having a heated discussion. Now was the right time. He summoned strength back to his legs and slowly picked himself up. The two Tulok didn't see his movement as he ran for the corridor leading out of the room.
His wounds were aching. His vision was clouding. He threw an arm out to lean against the wall, nearly losing his balance. Purple forced himself into a run as he heard Korus yell at the top of his lungs. "HE'S GONE! FIND HIM!"
Purple came to a corner. As he rounded it, he saw a light coming from what looked like another room. He picked up his pace and made for the doorway, until he heard a yell behind him. Something hit him in the back and threw him to the ground. He struggled to get up but his right shoulder was searing in pain. When he gripped it blood spread across his hand. He felt the air grow thick as his pursuers closed in on him. Clearing his mind, he allowed the spider legs in his pak to spring out and lift him, making his way quickly to cover.
Purple made it to a new chamber. The air suddenly became fresher and as Purple looked upward, he saw that there was a wide hole in the ceiling leading to the outside. The entire complex was one giant cave. Grey had been right. There were several cargo ships parked in the chamber, and Purple was already making his way towards one.
He made it inside the small craft just as Tulok guards began firing on him again. He ignited the engines and ran as much power as he could to the ship's shields. The ship rattled with the blasts being pounded into it but Purple managed to keep the controls steady, at the expense of his damaged shoulder, and he rose the craft into the sky, out of reach of the Tulok's fire.
The surface of the planet looked much like the cave, barren and dry. The small ship rose into the atmosphere and Purple boosted the engines, sending him into space.
Back on the ground, Korus watched as the craft disappeared above the clouds.
"He's taken a cargo ship my lord," one of the guards said. "Shall we go after him?"
Korus narrowed his eyes. "No. Let him escape for now. I'll have him in my grasp again to finish what was started. Right now, come with me. We're going on a trip."
Purple sighed. He was safe for now. He gazed out he ship's front window. According to the computer, the Sirian Empire was a day away, making his own empire at least three days off. He could tell the Tulok weren't planning on using this ship anytime soon. There were no supplies stored on board. He looked at the computer screen. He had four days worth of life support. He should find someone by then or someone should find him, and he'd be lucky if they turned out to be friendly.
His vision blurred slightly. Blood was running down his arm. What good would it be? I'll probably be dead by then anyway…
He put in coordinates for Siria and set the ship on autopilot. I hope Red's okay, he thought as he tried to find a more comfortable position in the chair. I can't believe Grey…how could he do this? And why did help me? Something else has to be going on here…He remembered what was said by the Tulok Elder. I'm not the one they need. But how can that be?…Earth…But Zim can't be…He tried to push the thought from his mind.
His eyelids suddenly became heavy. He felt his body go numb. Red…you better find me…Purple drifted off into sleep. He dreamed when he and Red were young, when they had finally become friends.
Len held Red as he sobbed into his shoulder. Grey was again. Red lifted his head a little. "Why are you being so nice to me? Even after I was so mean to you?"
"I don't like seeing you sad."
"That's it?"
"I just want to be friends with you."
"…I like you too. You're smart. You always look like you know what you're doing."
>
"Purple? Aren't you gonna come watch Tallest Miyuki's coronation?"
"No. It's alright, you and Blue go ahead. I don't really feel like it."
"Is something wrong? Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. I think I'm just a little tired."
>
"I'll always be a better fighter than you Purple, admit it!"
"You may be better than me, but you still can't beat Blue!"
"That's because no one can beat him. It's lucky that he's our personal trainer."
"He's your brother Red. I don't think he wants to let you out of his sights, especially after you wrecked the training room."
"That wasn't my fault! You were there too!"
>
It was their coronation. They both had made it as Tallest. Red had put his arm around Purple's shoulder and smiled. "What do you know? Looks like I'm gonna be stuck with you forever."
Purple muttered in his sleep. "You became whole again Red."
