When the refugees from Irk weren't watching over the hatching facilities and smeets or trying to find why Irk was acting abnormal, they were touring Earth and helping the humans. They were informed, of course, of the various dangers and anomalies of Earth by Zim, Tak, and Dib, but that didn't mean that they wouldn't discover anything else.
It started when one Irken passed a flower shop. He noticed that a familiar scent wafting from the lilies. Upon further research, it was found that they bore a close resemblance to a flower found on Irk that the Irkens harvested for the nectar.
"Your species drink nectar?" Dib said when he heard this.
"Yes, Dib-stink," Zim explained. "We add it to any snacks we eat. It's very nutritional. Soldiers are given the powdered form as rations. That's what I've been eating the whole time I have been on Earth! Nothing can compare to the liquid form, though."
"Would you stop calling me stink or filth or anything like that?"
"You tried to reveal my existence ever since I got to your filthy planet and when you finally did, you tortured me and almost destroyed me. No!"
The human scientists were fascinated by the technology, sociology, genetics, and history of the Irkens. Granted, it was frightening to them that an entire race could be one giant army, but that didn't stop the humans from making Irken-based technological leaps. In fact, Professor Membrane was coming out with a version of the PAK to aid the weak and old.
Eventually, some species was going to realize that the normal activity on Irk had disappeared. It turned out that the Resisty and the Meekrob were observing Irk. When their satilights were discovered, all Irkens tensed for battle.
"Dib-smell, what are your planet's defensive capabilities?" Zim demanded. "Tell me."
"Why? You aren't still trying to take over Earth, are you?" Dib eyed the alien.
"No, something far worse is doomed to happen," Zim sighed. "By taking refuge on this planet, Irkens have dragged Earth into a war that of which has never been seen. Enemies of the mighty Irken Empire have noticed our absence from our home planet and are taking steps to find what has become of us. A species as powerful as the Irken race cannot simply be wiped out! They will discover Earth for sure! They consider even helping Irkens evil and deserving of punishment!"
"I know you guys kinda deserve it for taking over other planets, but just because you stayed on Earth while your planet was being…umm I guess fixed…doesn't mean that the human race should be annihilated!"
"Earth-smell, I can see that you do not fully comprehend the art of war. How can you? You are a smeet among your people whom the oldest would be considered young to my people! The Meekrob and the Resisty don't care who you are. They just see an Irken ally in a war for the universe itself!"
"Wait, ally? I read the profiles on Tak's ship and I noticed that your people don't have a good history with allies. Planet Vort was enslaved after supplying you guys with technology!"
"Ah yes, Vort," Zim chuckled at the memory. "No this is different."
"Different how?" the scythe-haired boy asked, curious.
"Have you not noticed that Irkens are very territorial yet? As much as I despise it, I cannot leave your planet to rot simply because it is now my second home! I have been banished here, Dib-human. I wish it weren't so but it is. This planet is mine."
Dib was shocked. He never expected his old enemy to ever say that. It went against all that Dib knew of Zim.
"Dad's been working on some laser thing and most countries have nuclear weapons."
"Nuclear, huh? Crude but efficient. It never ceases to amaze me how you humans are so good at destroying things. Your species may be useful to the Armada yet!"
***On the Massive***
"Is it the Resisty again?" Tallest Purple said exasperated.
"Haven't they learned by now that they won't get our snacks?" Tallest Red sighed.
"Sensors indicate Meekrobian energy, my Tallests," a drone announced.
"The Meekrob too, huh? I thought we made a treaty with them about attacking us!" Purple exclaimed.
"We did, my Tallests," another drone said. "They appear to be hailing us."
"Then put them up on the screen," Red said.
The crew of the Resisty appeared on the screen, yet they were obviously not themselves. Each member glowed with an eerie light and seemed to hover. All of the Irkens viewing this recognized the signs of a Meekrob Total Control, MTC for short.
A single, sex-less voice seemed to resonate from all around. "Irken Empire, you no longer are as powerful as you once were. Forced to take refuge on a young planet, how does it feel to be weak like so many of the planets you have concurred?"
"The Irken Empire! Weak? You speak nonsense," Tallest Red lied.
"It is time to free the universe from Irken control," the voice said.
"Hey! We made a treaty with the Meekrob!" Tallest Purple shouted at the figures on the screen. "You can't attack us and we can't conquer you!"
"We won't be attacking you," the voice chuckled. "The Resisty will be."
With that, the light disappeared from the Resisty crew. They all slumped to the floor only to rise again with the MTC light in their eyes. They now had a single mind, an unbreakable will, a silent determination. The war had begun.