Chapter Ten- Loose Ends

"NOOO!!! It's not fair," Zim screamed at the top of his lungs.

Basically, we join our heroes at the point where Zim discovers he is officially dead. Because Irken records will show he was stationed on earth when Tak phones in the planet's destruction, he will be pronounced deceased. Therefore, he could never return to Irk nor call anyone ever again.

"You evil strattler," Zim shouted, flailing about.

Gaz stood watching Tak, holding the leashes to both Dib and Zim as they sat on the floor bound tightly. She yanked at Zim's chain to shut him up, which he did once he felt the choke collar tighten around his neck.

"I think I could get used to this," Gaz said sadistically.

"They're yours to do with as you like," Tak said, shoving the last of her things into the back of her voot cruiser.

"Just to be sure, you did cripple this base, right," Gaz asked, looking around at the still demolished lab.

"Perpetually," she said, still busying herself, "Just in case he tries to disprove his death by taking over your planet for real."

Zim squinted in anger and disappointment.

Dib smiled a little at his rival's discomfort, but could not help but feel sorry for him. It must be hard knowing you can never go home again. Zim was now the only one of his kind on earth. That must hurt, no matter how hard he tried to mask it.

I suppose I could try to make his stay a bit more enjoyable, Dib thought, a dirty idea festering in the back of his mind.

Tak finished packing the last of her things and shut the back storage compartment. As the door closed, she happened to catch a glimpse of her palm. She looked at it thoughtfully, noticing how nicely it healed. But the whitish blotch was still there, forever reminding her that she was not to go back on her word. She could never tell Purple what went on in this place.

The thought crossed Tak's mind and she smiled. This meant she could never tell Purple she cheated on him. It was a clean slate, so to say.

"Mimi! Let's go," Tak hollered. She looked to Gaz. "Thanks for seeing me off. You know, we might have actually been good friends under different circumstances."

"Keep in touch," Gaz said, "You know where I'll be."

Mimi walked up, Gir prancing right behind her. She approached Tak while Gir nuzzled up next to Gaz.

"Mistress, the eggs have arrived safely at the hatchery," she reported.

"Thank you, Mimi. Now let's get out of here," Tak stated.

Mimi hopped into the cruiser while Tak approached Gaz. She looked down at Dib who stared back up at her. She grimaced slightly. "Dib-human…," she began but got stuck.

Dib just smiled weakly. "No need, Tak. It's all water under the bridge now," he said calmly.

Gaz raised an eyebrow. "What is that suppose to mean," she asked suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing… just a disagreement," Dib said before Tak could answer.

Tak just looked at him, bewildered and amazed at the human's bravery and fortitude. She knew she had to recompense him someday for all the horrible things she did to him. The queasy feeling of guilt sat in her stomach like a rock and she could no longer look at him. So she turned her eyes to Zim.

He glared at her hatefully for so many reasons. He had the right mind to spill the beans about what happened, but knew the Dib-human would deny it all. So all he would get for his trouble was a yank on his leash. He just sat there pouting angrily.

"Zim, I would say I'm sorry for banishing you here, but I'm really not," she said spitefully.

Zim just growled. "I'll get you for this, Tak! You will rue the day you messed with the almighty Zim!"

Gaz yanked his chain again and turned to Tak. "Just go before I get sick from all the goodbyes," she demanded.

Tak smiled slightly, thinking about how much they had in common. She turned and jumped into her cruiser, lowering the glass dome. She engaged her rockets and waved one last time to the humans. And with that, she turned on the ship's cloaking device and took off, the ceiling opening for her departure. Within a few moments, she was out of earth's atmosphere for good, never to return. Gaz gazed up at the stars thoughtfully.

"So Gaz… why did you come to rescue me," Dib asked, still tied up.

Gaz looked down at him. "Dad missed you," she stated blankly.

Dib looked happily surprised at her answer. Membrane actually missed him? Wow…

"And me? Why did you save me," asked Zim.

Gaz raised an eyebrow. "I didn't want to hear Dib cry over losing his boyfriend."

Both boys immediately blushed. "Boyfriend?!" They said in unison.

"Don't even pretend it isn't true," she said, content in knowing their secret.

"But I… ack," Zim stated before Gaz yanked his chain roughly again.

"Let's just go home," she finally said, grabbing them by the ropes and pulling them along. "I need my Game Slave…"

Once she was on course back to the Massive, Tak sat back in her chair and sighed. What a crazy adventure this had turned out to be. She was now very happy that she had made the deal with the Gaz-human. She could put everything behind her and start anew. Thinking of this, she looked at the controls on her dashboard.

"Computer, connect me with the Massive," she commanded.

The Tallest Red and Purple sat in their thrones lazily. Red was snacking on whatever the servants put in front of him, and occasionally he'd reluctantly have to swallow his bite in order to give a command or answer a question.

None of the staff bothered approaching Purple, for he was in one of his moods again. He just propped his head up with one hand and stared down at the floor in thought. It was hard to tell if he was sad, or angry, or just daydreaming. But whichever one it was, he was hard to reach in this state of daze. If someone came up to him and asked him something, he'd just wave them off and not answer at all.

"Incoming call from Invader Tak," one of the engineers called out.

As if a switch were turned on, Purple immediately sat up straight, grasping the handles of his throne excitedly, a huge smile adorned his once solemn face.

Red's antenna perked up. He knew the name well, for he could not forget the ordeal he went through just to get her in bed.

The screen flickered on. "Hello my Tallest," Tak stated, her hand to her brow in a salute, "I am here to report that Earth is no more."

Tallest Red raised an eyebrow. "Why wasn't it conquered?"

Without missing a beat, Tak responded, "Earth turned out to be too small for any use and provided only one valuable resource, in which I have transported all if it to storage on Irk. The planet has been destroyed using its own nuclear weapons. The radiation, however, will not clear away for another few thousand years, so I would advise that our armada stays out of the Milky Way Galaxy for a while."

Red gave her a questioning look.

"Oh, and Invader Zim is dead," Tak quickly added.

"Wonderful!" Red suddenly stated loudly, getting up from his chair. "Excellent work, Invader Tak!"

Purple smiled and also stood. "Therefore, we invite you to return to the Massive for a celebration in your honor!"

Red looked at Purple. "We do?"

Purple nodded, still enthusiastic about the good news.

"Alright," Red said, starting to like the idea of a feast, "We do! When shall we expect your arrival?"

"Two months if I break the galactic speed limit," she stated with a devilish smile.

"Break it! Return as soon as possible," Purple stated happily.

"That's an order," Red chimed in.

Tak chuckled a bit. "Can do, my Tallest. Invader Tak, signing off."

Tak cut the transmission and leaned back in her chair. She smiled and gazed out the windshield, just looking at the stars and thinking what a wonderful experience the festivities will be. In a way, it was not entirely earned. But she had exiled Zim and gained a large supply of nuclear power. So she chalked that up as a victory. Maybe everything was going to be okay after all.

She sighed one last time and let her eyes close. Such peace she had never experienced before in her life.

A rather long fic... much longer than I anticipated. But you understand. Once I get the juices going there's no stopping me! I hope you enjoyed my now longest fic!