Author's Notes: I do not own Invader Zim, Jhonen Vasquez does though

Thanks to most of you guys, my so called "fans" haha. My issues are starting to get worse though, but what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. So here's chapter 8 for all you guys, this chapter kind of drags on, and it's pretty confusing, sorry for that and for keeping you all waiting. Oh yes, the ancient Irken that Zim speaks, it's Italian, in case you wondered, slightly altered though, enjoy.

Ch 8 – Battle in the Tower Pt 1 (Depressing Happiness)

"Doom Doom DOOOOMY DOOM DOOM!"

"GIR! SHUT UP!"

The little robot smiled happily at his master Zim, and continued to sing regardless of Zim's wishes.

"Do you know which way we're going Zim?" Dib asked wryly

Zim pulled out the small holographic map that Kirei had and looked closely.

"We just go straight, and then we'll end up in the main corridor where the throne of the Tallest is supposed to be in"

He put the map away and the gang continued walking, until Zion broke the silence

"Dad?"

Zim jumped slightly at being called in such a way.

"Yes?"

Zion walked along side his father; smiling broadly, the same smile Zim had when he succeeded in something. Zim looked at his 17 year old son, and admired how he carried himself. Zion walked with a confident stride to his step, his head held high. Zim was incredibly pleased.

"Dad I just wanted to say, you know um..you died before I was able to really get to know you uh ah...I'm glad I finally got a second chance to see you."

He looked down, somewhat embarassed. Zim felt a strange feeling in his heart, it stirred his emotions, and he smiled at Zion and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. Zion lifted his gaze and stared up at his father.

Zim's grin widened, "I'm especially pleased to see you as well, my son."

Zion's mouth opened slightly, he drew in his breath and smiled even bigger.

Gaz watched them from behind, smiling as well. She would enjoy seeing her children grow up in a world that wasn't ruled by this Irken named Blue. She swore to herself, they'll change the present so the future will be saved.

Soon enough they came face to face with a marble door embroidered with ancient Irken writing, along the edges were pure gold lining, and the center of the entry was a rather large carving of the Irk symbol in onyx stone. Zim stepped forward, gripping his laser gun in his belt; he gently released it and pressed his palms firmly on the door.

Dib whispered quietly to Kirei, "What is he doing?"

"The only way into this vicinity, is to put your hands onto the door and speak in the ancient language."

"We didn't do that for the other doors..."

"Only because this room is where the leader of all of Irk resides, and as the leader, you must know the secrets of old times on this planet. Writings and history of Irk are plastered all over the door" she motioned to the small writings on it.

"I see, so how does Zim know about the history of his planet if he was never destined to be ruler?"

Kirei huffed at Dib's question, "How would you know if he was or wasn't?"

Dib looked at the girl curiously, "You don't mean to tell me that Zim might be..."

She turned her head at him and smiled, "I'll let you find out for yourself uncle Dib"

He was about to protest when Zim began to speak in the ancient words of the past. His eyes were closed, and as he spoke his vocal seemed deeper than usual.

“Sentasi che me antico irken gli antenati, Zim, dcendente di Aira e Hedeki, comandii APRIRSI!”

Zim's body began to glow a light blue, and the irken symbol appeared on his forehead. The doors began to glow in the same way, and slowly they began to part ways, allowing the group to enter the room.

They stood in the center of the huge area, looking around cautiously. Zim held his gun close.

"Stay alert everyone"

The lights grew bright and a husky laugh came from above them, they looked up and saw a tall irken, wrapped in a dark blue robe, the hood down so you could see his face. His eyes were the same color as his robe; his antennae were long and pressed flatly against his head to show his aggression. He smiled arrogantly.

'Welcome, Zim and company, to Irk."

Zim drew his gun out quickly but in a flash it was shot out of his hand.

Blue sighed disdainfully, waving a finger playfully at them.

'My oh my, Zim that's no way to greet the owner of the house. You certainly haven't changed, still a headstrong arrogant fool."

Zim glared angrily at Blue, "I've never met you in my entire life."

"Is that so, how rude to not remember." He looked down at Zim, and smiled as if he were looking at an old friend.

"I seriously don't know you." Zim huffed.

"Well it's been so long, and we're beginning to look so different, it's no wonder you can't recognize your own flesh and blood."

Zim raised his eyebrows in utter confusion, "Flesh and blood? Who are you exactly?"

Blue gave Zim a gentle smile, but Zim could see right through it, Blue held the look of calmness, but in his eyes a terribly fierce storm thrashed around madly within him.

Blue looked behind him and was soon joined by another Irken; this one wore what looked like a robe mixed with blue and purple, it was tied tightly around the waist, giving the Irken a more slender appeal. Obviously this one was a female.

Zim held his breath then exhaled; he was entranced by the female's physical features, though he could not see the woman's face for it was hidden beneath her hood. He then recollected his senses and spoke.

"Your mate? I presume.."

Blue nodded, "This is my mate, and commanding officer of my armies. Allow her to give you a taste of true Irken power."

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers, the sound echoed throughout the room and the Irken female jumped in the air, pulling out a laser gun from within her robes, she began to fire at Zim.

Zim back flipped out of the way, amazed at her firing precision. He stayed down on one knee and saw the Irken approach him, walking slowly.

"Who are you, mysterious woman?" Zim muttered softly under his breath

The female stopped and pointed her weapon at Zim between the eyes. She began to squeeze the trigger but was soon kicked in the face to the ground; she looked up and saw Gaz standing in front of Zim.

"I'll take you on!" Gaz exclaimed with an expression ready to kill.

Zim looked up at Gaz, "Gaz, she's pretty strong"

"Don't worry Zim, I can take her. Besides I saw the way you were looking at her, I don't like you looking at other girls like that, if you do I'm going to kill them and hang you by your nut sack, over a pit of snakes, got it?"

Zim smiled, "God I love you..."

Gaz returned the grin with a wink and pulled out her own gun, "Ok here I go!"

She ran directly at the Irken and fired, to which the female dodged easily and countered. The female Irken quickly disarmed Gaz of her weapon, Gaz did the same and soon they began a hand to hand combat.

Dib watched in amazement, "Gaz is just as good as the Irken!"

"Don't get too excited yet Dib..." Zim sighed, "...the fight is far from over."

Gaz grabbed the female's arm and tugged her down, but the Irken turned the tables with a quick twist and was back on her feet. Gaz grumbled angrily, seeing a smile on the hooded fighter's face.

"You're good..." Gaz replied tiredly

"I know" the hooded female quietly replied back before getting at it again.

Blue watched calmly, then yelled out, "Enough messing around my dear, you've had your fun."

The hooded female nodded and in a quick sweep, Gaz fell to the ground. She tried to rise but was forced to stay down with a spear held to her neck.

"Well Zim, your only option is to battle me right?" Blue smiled and Zim yelled angrily.

"I'll fight you, and I'll kill you!"

"Let's not get carried away now..."

Before Blue could finish his sentence a yell erupted from Dib, and he had the hooded warrior on the ground, off of Gaz, and held the spear at the female's throat.

Dib breathed quickly, the weapon held in his hands pointed directly at the woman.

"Blue! Give up now or I'll kill your commanding officer!"

Blue crossed his arms and tapped his chin with a satisfied smirk. A large gust of air blew through his robe, revealing plenty of scars on his body.

"I applaud your battling skills, using your opponent's weakness to gain the upper hand, perhaps you humans aren't so stupid after all."

Dib growled and gripped the spear tighter, "I'm not joking, give up!"

"Neither am I human..." Blue glanced down at his hooded mate, "My dear, it's time you took this seriously."

The Irken nodded slightly, and quickly knocked the spear out of Dib's hand. She thrusted her arm and seized his throat, Dib gagged and held onto her grip. He felt his mind get darker, his body going numb. Slowly he reached up and took hold of her hood.

"I've...got you...now..."

He pulled back her hood and felt his whole world shatter before his eyes.

"Ta...Tak?" he gasped

She gave him a small smile

"Hello Dib."

This story is getting long, but oh well, sorry if the writing is going this way and that way, eh what you expect, I'm not that great. R&R Everybody!