Thank you to Invader Johnny for the review! Please enjoy the rest.
One little note here: this is not a ZimxOC story, though there are hints of romance; however, it's more an animal/alien attraction than an outright romance, and as this is not OOC (or really isn't supposed to be), don't expect any gush.
Please enjoy and please review, everybody!
Cut to Voot Cruiser. We see ZIM skid to a stop at a tollbooth that floats midair in space, and proceed toward Manti's spaceport. Manti is a pretty yellow planet on the outside. Within, we see it is occupied by a blue Irkenoid people with white, human-like hair. ZIM zooms through their planet at street-level,GIRplastered to the window and staring out. MANTIs go about their daily lives, shopping and selling in a fairy tale kingdom fashion. GIR smiles with his mouth wide open.
ZIM: Now where can we find this Queen?
A palace unfolds in ZIM's view.
ZIM: THERE! Can't you feel my glorious reputation bubbling to a simmer, GIR?
GIR screams. Cut to the MANTI PALACE. A MANTI GUARD sees ZIM's arrival through from a watchtower.
MANTI GUARD: I see 'em, Queen! Queen? Tell the Queen!
In Voot Cruiser, ZIM looks for a parking space as he nears the Palace.
GIR: Where's my piggy? He said he was coming!
ZIM: I told you, you could bring one toy on this trip, and you picked your Octopus. And why is your head all wet?
GIR: I fell in the toilet, why?
ZIM: Ugh...why was I cursed with such a sorry robot?
GIR: SORRY!
Cut to MANTI PALACE, where much of the court has gathered to witness ZIM's arrival.
GUARD (O.S) Bow before the mighty Deruna!
A short fanfare sounds. QUEEN DERUNA walks gracefully out of the palace and sits on her throne. The CROWD lies prostrate. DERUNA snaps her fingers and her ADVISOR, slender and sinister, approaches her throne.
DERUNA: Is he late, do you think?
ADVISOR: You know how parking can be around Feast Time, my lady.
DERUNA: Indeed. The Irkens tell me he's a great idiot. They told him he was an Invader just to get him off their planet.
The ADVISOR laughs.
ADVISOR: And I thought the Tallest were fools!
DERUNA: Indeed. Brace yourself, for soon we will be dealing with an idiot among idiots.
Somewhere in the distance, we hear ZIM and GIR screaming and the Voot Cruiser's breaks failing. The sounds grow louder and louder.
GIR (O.S) Weeeehoooo!
ZIM (O.S) SHUTUPGIRYOU'RRNOTHELPING -
The Voot Cruiser crashes onto the Palace's roof. Agonized cries are heard from within; noises of chaos follow. DERUNA looks quizzically up, not moving from her throne. ZIM's arm emerges from the smoke and damage.
ZIM: ZIM (coughing) can pay for that! If not today, once planet Earth is under my control.
ZIM slides down a column and smiles proudly at DERUNA; GIR bellyflops behind him afterward with a gleeful "OUCH!".
DERUNA: Zim?
ZIM: Yes! I AM ZIM! I am an Elite soldier of the Irken Army, the conqueror of Earth, and - well, generally speaking, I'm just amazing. What was it, again? Queen … Phoebe?
MANTI GUARD #3: You will kneel before Deruna, Queen of the Mantis, little green worm!
The GUARD pushes ZIM to the ground. ZIM grunts in protest. DERUNA stands and raises a hand.
DERUNA: Please.
She approaches ZIM.
DERUNA: Welcome to our humble planet, Lord Zim! You are even greater than I expected.
ZIM: Surely.
DERUNA: Spin around so that I might see you in all your glory.
ZIM: Very well, Queen, though if I were you, I'd prepare myself to be overwhelmed with gloriousness.
ZIM strikes a couple of poses. The KITCHEN STAFF, among the onlookers, scrutinize him from afar.
ZIM: As you can see, Queen, I reek of nobility and power.
DERUNA smiles, a toothy smile dripping with venom, and kneels to ZIM's level.
DERUNA: I've just met you, little Zim, and already I can see you will be of great help to my planet. I am ... very impressed.
ZIM (a bit thrown by DERUNA's closeness). Heh? Uh- of course you are! There is much to be impressed with, after all.
DERUNA (squeezes ZIM's cheek). What a charming soldier you are!
DERUNA stands. ZIM looks unsteady.
DERUNA (cont.) Very well. My maids, take the mighty Zim to his chambers, and be sure he is made as comfortable as possible.
The onlooking MANTIs cheer. DERUNA snaps her fingers and a group of attractive MANTI MAIDS hoists ZIM up and carries him into the palace. GIR soon joins him; he's waving at the crowd.
ZIM: Ooh, yes, cheer for ZIM.. This is marvelous. They adore me, GIR! Once I have finished saving their planet, they will make me their King! I just know it! Look how they fawn over me! ZIM has conquered Manti in less than five minutes!
ZIM's eyes bulge; he notices DERUNA blowing him a kiss from her throne. He smiles drunkenly again.
ZIM: …and I think I have found myself a queen.
….