Oh my gosh you guys.
If you thought I was upset LAST chapter, you have no idea how sad I am right now that this is finally over.
A three story saga . . . people will finally be able to read through this without having to suffer my insufferable plot-twist-cliff-hangers that I love doing oh so much.
Do you know how HORRIBLE that is for me to know I will never get any more comments swearing at me and cursing me while begging me to update so they can continue reading what happens next?
So, I just want to thank everyone who read and reviewed my story. Your guyses comments really did make a bigger impact on this story then you could've imagined. I tailored scenes and agonized over little details I never would've thought of and made changes and fixed errors all because of you. It's saddening me to know that I will probably only get comments on this last chapter now, AFTER people have read through it instead of chapter by chapter . . . *sniffle* . . .
But, just to let you know, I have decided to let you all see my 'bloopers' and 'deleted scenes' from all my stories! How things were originally going to start/how I planned them out and am letting you see just how much I really change from my normal thought process on how I'm going to direct my story!
Just a little treat for you guys being so freaking awesome.
I adore you all! This chapter, I give you what you've been waiting for and answer your questions.
Enjoy!
Chapter 38
"The Epilogue"
It had been about a week.
A girl was waiting, nervously, in the dark, with nothing but a flashlight as she sat on a log and waited for her true love to arrive.
They were wrong. She was going to win him over! Tonight, she was going to confess her real feelings! Nobody was going to take him from her, not while she still had a fighting chance!
A rustling in the bushes made her pick up her flashlight, pointing it in the darkness, standing up.
"Dib?" She called, hopefully.
And the figure emerged.
The girl nearly dropped her flashlight.
"Sorry to disappoint," Said figure informed, bluntly, not sounding really sorry at all, "But Dib won't be coming tonight. In fact, you, Gretchen Weiners, are never going to see him again."
"TAK?" Gretchen shouted, fear making her voice squeak impossibly high. Then she pointed the flashlight at her, like it was a weapon. "W-What did you do with Dib?"
"He never got your message or your call, Gretchen," Tak informed her, carelessly, ignoring the light shining at her and looking past it, to Gretchen. "I sent that message asking you to meet me here, so we could talk. Female to female, I suppose you could put it."
Gretchen swallowed nervously. "Why?"
Tak bared her teeth at her. But it was just her, Gretchen realized; MiMi was nowhere to be seen. "Because Dib is mine."
There was deathly silence for a moment.
Then-.
"No," Gretchen breathed. Then she became furious, angry tears falling from her eyes. "NO! He HATES you Tak, he told me so! Dib loves me, not you! ME! He has a nickname for me and everything! What does he call you, Tak? HUH? NOTHING! He doesn't have a nickname for you because you're not important enough to him!"
Tak seemed uninterested at her emotional outburst, eying Gretchen with indifference.
"Oh?" She questioned, a cruel smirk appearing on her face. "Then why did he take me and not you to his house, Gretchen? Why did we remain together while you were abandoned, along with the rest of his little rebellion?"
Those questions could be easily answered and countered, if Gretchen knew the answers. Dib only took Tak because he needed her to translate, if that turned out to be necessary. And they only remained together because Dib pittied her and made it so Tak wouldn't end up getting herself killed and could be treated properly for her wounds.
But Gretchen did not need to know that, did she?
"I . . . Because he . . .!" Gretchen insisted, struggling for an explanation and coming up with nothing.
"Because he prefers me over you?" Tak pressed, stepping closer to her, making Gretchen shake a little. "Because he didn't give a damn that you were kind to him and has no attraction for you whatsoever? That's what he told me, Gretchen. That you were too boring for his tastes. Domestic was actually the world he used, I believe."
"He didn't say that! You're making it up!"
"Even if I am," Tak replied, becoming indifferent again, shrugging. "It doesn't matter. You're never going to see him again anyways."
"I'll just call him again!" Gretchen insisted, scrambling through her pockets for her phone. She began dialing, smugly, sniffling and wiping the tears from her eyes with new-found confidence. "He'll prove you wrong! He'll tell you he loves me right now!"
She dialed his number, waiting for it to ring.
When it did, she heard it.
And not just from her line.
Tak removed the vibrating cell-phone from her pocket, another smirk on her face.
"I figured you would try something as simple and desperate as that," Tak informed the now gaping girl, dangling the phone in between them mockingly. "So I took his phone, to prevent you from humiliating yourself any further."
Gretchen just stared at her, shaking like a leaf. Briefly, Tak wondered if she should care, but realized she really did not. She was enjoying this. She was staking her claim.
And Tak was loving every second of it.
"Now, as I was trying to explain," The vicious female continued, the phone slipping back into her pocket. "Dib and I are going to be moved to a Reserve; he's taking in his Swollen Eyeball friends and making sure that they don't get themselves killed by trying another rebellion, you see. And I'm sure you now how heroic Dib is, so, you know him; he always has to play the hero. Which is why I brought you here and did not just erase your messages, Gretchen."
"What are you saying?"
"The Reserve is going to be off the grid. Even if you find it, somehow, you won't be able to get it and no one can come out. The only people they'll have contact with is friends and family, of which you," She pointed for emphasis, smirking again, "Are neither."
"No, that's . . .! I don't believe you!" Gretchen shrieked, with finality, stomping her foot on the ground, more tears falling from her ears as she glared at the floor. "I want to speak to Dib!"
Tak rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to retort when there was more vibrations.
Gretchen watched as Tak pulled out another, newer looking phone, looking at the Caller ID before answering it.
"Yes?" She said, curtly, not saying 'hello' to whoever was on the other line. Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean 'where am I'? Why do you need to know?"
There was a response, making her pause.
Tak rolled her eyes, "Can't you get along without me for five minutes, Dib? I'm busy. That's all you need to know."
She glanced to gauge Gretchen's reaction to that, only half paying attention to what Dib was saying. The girl looked absolutely petrified, inwardly debating between staying put and wrestling the phone out of Tak's hands. She could see it in her eyes but either way, she was currently rooted to the spot.
"No, I didn't know MiMi and Gir were fighting. I'll talk to her about it when I get back," Her eyes narrowed at his accusatory, enlightened response. "Shut up! I am too still-! Gah, I need not explain myself to you! I'll call you when I'm done." She smirked at her purposefully vague answer. And then her smile evaporated at what Dib said next, looking to Gretchen, who was now fighting back tears
For once, she really did feel bad for the girl. She was just trying to win in a game that had all the pieces stacked against her the whole time. In a way, Tak had to admire her dedication to her mission.
So she really did feel guilty saying this in front of her.
"Yeah," Tak murmured, looking away from Gretchen. "I love you too."
And then the girl let out a noise of shock and pain, crumpling to her knees on the floor.
"No, that was just . . . a thing. Yes a thing!" She snapped, in response to his disbelieving tone. Tak sighed at his worried insistence. "I'm fine, Dib, okay? Really, I'll see you soon . . . Alright, bye."
She snapped the phone shut, kneeling beside Gretchen, who had dropped her flashlight. Tak picked it up and handed it back to her, no smugness in her features anymore.
"I'm . . . sorry," Tak finally said, sighing. "And I don't say that to a lot of people, either, so enjoy that."
"You were never supposed to love him," Gretchen whimpered, cradling the flashlight as tears fell from her eyes. "I thought . . . I thought you two were going to hate each other forever."
"Honestly, I did too," Tak admitted, making a face. "And it was really only recently Dib and I became an 'item' I guess you could say. That was only the second time he's said he loves me, too, so it's not like this has been going on for a while."
"He really said I was too domestic?" Gretchen breathed, pained, looking up at Tak.
She hesitated, but nodded, "Yes. And I agree, Gretchen, in an unbiased way. I doubt you even really like Dib, so much as you like what he represents to you."
"Huh?"
"You've got Hero-Syndrome," Tak stated, bluntly, forcing the girl back onto her feet. "Meaning, basically, you will get over Dib. If not now, very, very soon."
Gretchen looked down at the floor. "I . . . Okay. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Tak. I'll just go."
"Very well," Tak replied, turning. She paused after a few steps though, looking back to see Gretchen still standing there, looking at the ground, the flashlight held close to her chest. "Oh, and, Gretchen?"
The girl looked up. "Yeah?"
And then Tak did something she'd never done before.
For once in her life, Tak offered a lesser-being a genuine smile, however small.
"Good luck," She stated, smiling kindly at her.
Gretchen smiled back, through her tears. "Thanks. You too."
Tak nodded, turning away from her. As she walked though, able to see perfectly well without the use of a flashlight, Tak began to scowl.
Dib really was making her a softy.
. . . Ew . . .
Well, just another thing that she could get into an argument with him for, then. Tak walked back in silence, for she really was alone, having left MiMi to cover for her. But it seemed Gir's malfunctions were just contagious then.
2 Weeks Later
Dib knew about his current 'immortality'.
Zim didn't.
That was exactly the way Gaz preferred it, at least for now.
And right now, Tak and Dib were leaving.
Skoodge had left not too long ago. That goodbye had been a bit sad, since Gir hadn't seemed to understand what was going on until Skoodge was taking off into space and then began wailing, as did Minnie-Moose. Zim had to phsyically remove Gir from the lawn, while Gaz grabbed Minnie-Moose, to take them back inside after it had been about 15 minutes and neither of them were willing to move on their own.
Gaz currently had her brother tight in her arms, her head burried in his shoulder, as he did the same in return. It was almost symbollic, in a way, if one were to look at it from a third-person point of view. Tak stood next to the ship, looking back and waiting for Dib to be done. Zim, on the other hand, stood closer to the castle (which they'd be moving away from tomorrow) and watching the siblings without an expression. If one were to see them, they might make some sort of metaphor.
But no one was around to do so, and so no metaphor or profound, insightful statement was uttered.
Tak and Zim were still not friends, and so there was only a nod of slight mutual respect as a parting gesture. Gaz and Tak had a bit more of an understanding; they'd bonded over Dib, basically. Gaz was fine with Tak so long as she didn't hurt Dib and Tak was fine with Gaz because she was her sahlm's brother. They'd formed a silent agreement that would keep them from killing each other.
And that was always a good thing, when you got down to it.
"You call me as soon as you land, you got it?" Gaz insisted, pointing a warning finger at him as she back off a little. "I want you able to take calls. At any time!"
Dib laughed, patting his little sister on the head, a motion she growled at, but otherwise did nothing.
"Gotcha," He agreed, glancing over her shoulder as the siblings released each other. He then glared at Zim, though with only mild disapproval in his eyes. "Take care of her while I'm gone, okay, Zim? Otherwise I will figure out some way to get out and back here to kick your butt!"
Tak snorted, rolling her eyes at his threat. Gaz just snickered at his immaturity.
Zim glared back, though he to didn't seem so serious in his hatred. Living around each other for a few weeks seemed to have changed the two a little, or at least helped them develop a tolerance for the other.
"As if I haven't been doing that for two months now!" Zim snapped, placing his fists on his hips.
Suddenly Gir was on Dib's back, and then on his head, leaning over to look at Dib upside-down and waving. "Bye Big-Headed Boy!"
Dib almost insisted that his head was not big. But then he just sighed, smiling a little, removing the little SIR unit and handing him off to Gaz. "Bye, Gir."
"Squeak!" Minnie-Moose insisted, bobbing himself to nudge Dib gently on the shoudler.
Dib laughed, rubbing him on the head. "Bye to you too, Minnie-Moose."
To be honest, he really had no idea what the little thing had said. But he hoped he assumed right, as that was his best guess.
"Bye, Gaz," Dib muttered, quietly, looking at the floor before glancing up at his sister again.
Gaz smirked at him, knowing full-well she'd see him again. Eventually. "See you later, Dib."
"Hurry up, Dib!" Tak snapped, getting into the plane that would be taking them. "You're so slow, even for a human!"
"I am not!" Dib shouted in complete disapproval, turning to run after her.
She scoffed, getting into the ship as the two began arguing.
Zim snickered, holding Gaz around the waist and ducking low to murmur in her ear, "Remind you of anyone?"
"You compare our relationship to theirs and I will never speak to you again," She informed him, bluntly, not looking away from the door as it closed behind her brother.
He chuckled again, but did not press the subject further.
The plane was not of human design.
Rather then needing a runway, the small little aircraft (auto-piloted, of course, but Tak knew how to drive it if the need came up) hovered up into the air like a helicopter, slowly. A few seconds later Gaz saw Dib's face pressed up against the window, grinning at her and waving. She smirked at him and waved back, though not quite as spastically. She saw Tak's pale hand smack across his head, making him flinch and stick his tongue out at her teasingly before looking back to Gaz, who was slowly becoming out of view. Gaz shook her head, her hand falling to her side as the plane finally took off.
They waited until it was entirely out of their seeing-range before turning to go back in the house.
To call things 'routine' after that would be a very loose statement.
The 'usual happenings' were more like guidelines for what really happened on a daily basis in the time that followed.
Of course Gaz called Dib on a regular basis. Their father had been shipped along with the rest of the Swollen Eyeball, having been picked up on their way to the Reserve, so that the remaining wouldn't need to be imprisoned. Membrane was often on those calls to check up on them and normally Gaz tuned out a part of the conversations when he talked with Zim about whatever latest scientific thing he was working on and the technology he could use to build it. Membrane was the only one allowed at the Reserve to still play with things, although it was done in secret, so as not to cause problems inside of the facility.
During their stay, Tak's history had come out, including her past with Dib and Gaz's father. At first, Gaz hadn't trusted her because of that, but it seemed Tak had no begrudging emotions left in her for the man that fathered her sahlm.
On a more personal level though, Tak never saw nor heard from Gretchen again and neither did Dib. A few times she brought the girl up, but Dib always answered with something like 'oh yeah . . . wonder what happened to her?' and then would shrug and drop the subject. Tak knew he really did not think much of her and it made her feel pleased for herself and sympathetic towards the broken-hearted female she had left behind in the woods. She never told Dib about that as she doubted it would ever do anything but make him a bit irked that Tak hadn't let him deal with his own problems.
Gretchen's cousins, however, were another story entirely.
Tip and Tine, when they turned 18, immediately enrolled in the army, a task which very few had willingly done. Upon seeing their names, Zim was in such disbelief he had to show Gaz, who realized she had never really told him about her time with Dib and their rebellion and explained that the twins could probably be rather good in the army, depending on what position they were given. But it would have to be a joint position, whatever it was, as those two balanced each other out.
Zim ended up making them work their way up the food-chain, so to speak, until he decided they were ready to handle the position he wanted to set them up for; Intelligence. Because let's face it; together or apart, those two can get any amount of information out of anyone and know the difference between the useful stuff and the irrevelant stuff.
Despite the Swollen Eyeball and Dib being out of the game, rebellions were popping up all over the place now. And, according to Zim's calculations, that would probably never stop. It was Tip and Tine's job to figure out who was in charge of which one, where the members could be found and what was their weak spot. And if they weren't doing that, they were working on Cold Cases actually, a task they had a nack for. Zim had decided that humans needed to pay for their crimes, no matter how old, to show that there was no tolerance for misbehavior anymore. If you did something wrong, you were going to get caught and you were going to pay for disrupting the peace.
It took only about ten years for Zim to figure out what Gaz had done, when he'd become suspicious about Dib's appearance over the calls and very much doubted it was from healthy habits. Upon discovering the Pill was gone, he'd casually informed Gaz it was missing, in which she casually replied that if one were to look for an object that small, they were probably not going to find it anywhere. Zim had let the subject drop.
Because honestly, he had figured that was going to happen.
The Tallest called sometimes. Rarely, every once in a while, just to check on how things were going really and just chat. Zim was actually afraid of these calls, each time hoping that they weren't going to invite Gaz and him back or request he be given Tallest Training. Both were unlikely, considering Zim (although he'd made quite the impression with Gaz last time) had a reputation of being a screw-up and no one would want him as Tallest and after getting so hurt last time (Zim knew the Tallest knew, even though she'd hidden it well) they would know Zim wasn't about to let that happen again.
But still, he was always just a bit uneasy when they called to check in on him.
Eventually, the royalty in the castle back in Europe did end up leaving, since they were more then wealthy enough to live on their own. They were still respected among their city, but that was simply out of old habit. Gaz was sure that eventually, when the Queen's generation died out, the youngest children would be able to walk among the streets unnoticed, probably the way the'd end up preffering it. Gaz really was interested to see how they turned out, just out of curiosity. She did keep an eye on them, even if they did not notice.
All in all, it was best for everyone that things remained the way they were, had been, and hopefully, would always be.
Meaning?
Well, that their lives remained as unpredictable, convoluted and clinically insane as possible.
Bloopers/Deleted Scenes in the next chapter.
To you all, I am truly excited and happy that I was able to, with your help, make this story such a success.
I am devoted to you all.
And I am sorry to say, there will not be a sequel. This is the end of a saga that has far exceeded my non-existent expectations. I didn't even have expectations, to be honest, and now these stories are everywhere. I cannot tell you how much that freaking means to me. It really means more to me then you guys could possibly now, so hopefully one day, you'll all write stories and be able to experience success for yourselves. But, if by some off chance I do continue, I'll update this story to let you know.
Thank you all for sticking by me through twists, cliff-hangers, uncomfortable sex scenes and whatever else I hurled at you! Thick and thin, I loved that I never lost any of you.
So thanks. Really.
Echo, out, for the last time!
