Zim climbed into the bead he had never before used. GIR had used it a few times, but the mattress was till stiff.

How could that robot have been there? Zim blamed his malfunctioning PAK for producing hallucinations.

Zim laid his head on the pillow and waited for what the humans called sleep. Hours passed, but no sleep. Or was this sleep, laying here, waiting for something?

"This is ridiculous."

Zim opened his eyes and screeched in surprise. Leaning right over him were the only two beings he though more worthy than him.

The Almighty Tallest.

"My Tallest!" Zim saluted, "What are you here?"

The Tallest exchanged bored looks, "We aren't your leaders, Zim," said Red, "We are the ghosts of Christmas past, come to show you your past Christmases."

Zim thought he was not fooled, "How can you do that? I've never celebrated Christmas." The little alien still felt respect since they at least looked like his Tallest.

Purple answered, "You did at one time. Your first years on Earth you tried to take advantage of the day in your plans to destroy the planet."

Zim knew Purple was right, but was still skeptic, "There was nothing wrong with those years." Zim knew this wasn't completely true.

The Tallest exchanged another look, this time a little more knowing, before Red seized Zim's hand and flew out the window.

Zim struggled against gravity, clinging to Red's arm. They flew over the town. Because of his constant struggle, before Zim knew it, he was on the ground again. He stood on his PAK legs to keep off the snow.

Zim, irritated by the snow, asked, "Where are we?"

"Look," Purple indicated.

Zim did, and instantly recognized the place. "Why are we here?" he asked, more respectfully.

Red motioned at the window and Zim looked in. Inside, he saw the Dib, Gaz, and Professor Membrane in the living room. The Professor was lounged on the couch, while Gaz and Dib were seated on the floor. It was Dib's old house.

Zim remembered this scene. He turned to see himself, in disguise, marching toward the house with a gift in his hands. Fear coursed through Zim as he saw how confident he looked, unknowing of the outcome. Zim took a step forward, but was blocked off by the Tallest.

"No one can see nor hear you," Purple explained.

Zim continued to watch as his younger self rang the door bell.

"Wait for me!" GIR ran up to Zim in earnest.

"What took you so long?" Zim responded to his robot, clothed in his green doggy suit. His voice was stern, but his eyes showed more warmth than Zim would ever admit he felt.

The door opened and Dib stared at the alien at his doorstep.

"Merry Christmas, Dib," Zim said meaningfully, holding out the gift.

Dib glanced from the gift and back at Zim, "I'm not falling for that."

Zim's face showed his confusion as he recoiled slightly, "Huh? What do you mean?"

"This is just another one of your lame schemes to take over the Earth."

Zim remained innocent, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Dib?" Membrane called from inside, "Is that your friend at the door?"

"He's not a friend!" Dib yelled back, "He's an alien bent on destroying Earth!"

"Dib! That's not polite. Let him in."

But Dib had already ripped the gift from Zim's hands, pushed the alien aside, thrown the gift, and slammed the door.

Both Zim's winced at the severity of the slam. The younger Zim slowly returned to his feet, reassuring GIR he was alright. He shuffled over to the gift and opened it.

The older Zim couldn't bare to see the look he knew was on his younger's face. It was a look of pain, and pure anger.

This was the Christmas – Zim's fifth Christmas – that the invader had actually taken a small interest in the holiday. His computer couldn't tell him anything outside of gift giving. Zim had been sure there was more to it. In search of answers, Zim had decided to, temporarily, put aside his dislike for Dib and ask him. Zim had even gotten the boy a gift he knew Dib would take as a peace offering.

Zim opened his eyes to see himself dropping the gifts contents into the trash can, send one last look of pure hatred at the window and, hunched over, fists clenched, sulk back home. GIR unknowing of what else to do, took the gift form the garbage and rushed after his master.

Zim begged his Tallest, or ghosts or whatever they were, to take him back, "Please. I can't see anymore. Why did you bring me here? It is nothing but bad memories."

Red nodded, "We are done here anyway."