"Why is it that there are next to no security around here?" Dib asked as the scuttled down another winding passage.
"This is the Massive!" Zim exclaimed, "This biggest and most powerful Irken armada invasion ship in the galaxy, you think that anyone would DARE to try and infiltrate..." he trailed off as he caught Tak glaring at him, "Well, long story short, we're a confident race."
"But as soon as they know we're gone, which jugging by the guards prison rounds should be any minute, they'll swarm faster than a Jorkon to a Everfrone." Tak added.
"That's pretty bad I'm guessing..." Gaz rolled her eyes, not knowing what the hell a Jorkon or a Everfrone was but she really didn't care.
They rushed down more winding corridor that looked nothing like the ones they had travelled down on their arrival. The red and purple metallic walls were stern with wired and pipes, Dib would have loved to take a few samples of even a few pictures, damn that pointless camera sitting under hit bed!
However, their aimless wonderings were interrupted. Just at Tak predicted, the alarms sounded from every corridor. They froze, Irkens shouted and cried out in anger, they were getting louder!
"YAY! We're doomed!" GIR giggled, bouncing on the spot.
"Not if I can help it!" Dib growled, pulling them down a side passage.
Footsteps thundered behind them, Gaz ducked just in time a a blue beam shot past her head. They were shooting at them! Finally the landing bay came into view. Tak signalled for Mimi to join them, the sleek black cat swirled around them and perched on GIR's head.
"Where's your ship?" Tak demanded, "They've got a tracker on mine!"
"Behind that air lock unit." Zim pointed behind a large metal door.
They sprinted down the landing bay, ducking and dodging lasers as they went. They were so close! They were going to make it! Dib hoisted the door open and stood aside, letting Tak GIR and Mimi inside. Gaz stopped to wait for Zim. Where was Zim?
Dib turned on his heel in time to see large Irken guards surrounding Zim. He kicked one in the shin and ducked under their legs. More guards came rushing around the corner. Zim gritted his teeth. He looked at the approaching weapons and restrainers and then at his ship. There wasn't enough time...
"Leave! Now!" he screamed.
He cried out in frustration and rushed over to Gaz, kissed her cheek, and pushed her as hard as he could. She tripped and was caught my Tak who pulled her into the ship. Dib looked at Zim questioningly. Zim, running in the opposite direction, distracting the guards, looked over his shoulder and cried out.
"You owe me one Dib-worm!"
Before Dib knew what was going on, the door was slammed shut and Tak was dragging him into the ship. Tak slammed her fist on a large black button, and they were thrown backwards from the force of the ship breaking into hyper drive. The Massive faded from view and all was silent. Zim, was gone.
The ship steadied out and Gaz collided her fist against Dib's face, "You left him!"
"He told us to leave, he gave us a chance to escape and we had to take it!" Dib returned.
"You wanted him dead and this was your perfect opportunity!"
"I wanted to expose him on Earth! Not have killed by his own kind!"
"Liar! Turn around, we can still save him!"
"I'm sending you home and I'll come back for him later!"
"We're turning around now!"
The friction between the two was like burning acid. They didn't even try to resist the pounding beat and screaming music that swarmed around them.
(Hero - Skillet)
Dib:
Don't you dare blame me, we just saved your life, he told me to leave!
Gaz:
You never do what he says!
Dib:
He wanted you safe, I had to agree!
Tak:
No this is all my fault!
Dib:
So it's true we share some hate, but we both agreed,
Didn't want my family torn!
Gaz:
Could we go and save him please?
Dib (Gaz in brackets):
It's not safe for you! Don't make it so that he got caught in vain!
I'm not a hero! (So be a hero!) I can't save him! You want a hero?
(You're a coward!) Hey that's not fair He saved me too!
Going back wouldn't - (there's still time!)
Gaz:
Zim's a defect too, just like me and you!
That's right I know the truth! There's something we can do!
Dib (Gaz in brackets):
I want to go back! But you go home first!
(I'm not going anywhere!)
FOR ONCE YOU'LL LISTEN TO ME!
So how long have you known? About dads experiment?
(Long enough, we're all the same!)
We were never the same! I won't let you die because I'm in charge!
Don't be a hero! (He needs a hero!)
He'll save himself! He comes out fine!
(maybe not this time!)
I'm not a hero! (Be my hero!)
He always does, every time! (every time?)
He's okay every time! He will be just fine!
(With Gaz) You just don't understand, I want him to be safe too!
This is the fight of our lives (and I don't want him to die!)
(With Gaz) Whose gonna be safe now if we travel around?
He will survive! (If we go back!)
Just believe me!
(With Gaz) I'm sorry for the past, and the things that I said,
And if it kills me tonight (I won't let anyone die!)
A hero's not afraid to give his life!
(With Gaz) So be a hero and help me please!
I will go back, when you're both safe!
I'm not a hero! (You're a coward!)
(With Gaz) I do not care what you say!
He did the right thing (let's go back!)
Tak:
This is all my fault, please just blame me!
I didn't want this to happen!
Don't fight it kills me!
Dib (Gaz in brackets):
I'm not a hero!
(You're no hero!)
He's a hero for saving you! (He's my hero and I hate you!)
Gaz had tears balancing on her eyelashes, she had never cried, not ever. She would not give him the satisfaction, "That's right, I hate you!" She stormed off into another part of the ship and out of sight.
Dib was frozen in shock, true they had never been that close and they fought a lot, but never had she said she hated him. He knew that it wasn't his fault, but he still felt guilty. He hated seeing his sister like this, actually, he had never seen her like this... That made him feel worse.
He turned around and saw Tak curled up in her chair, shaking and chewing on her lip. She was trying too. Dib ran his hand over his head, what was with the women today?
"You want to blame me too?" he snapped.
"It's my fault. I hate this human form it makes me feel things that aren't Irken! Guilt! Regret! It's my fault Zim was left there! My fault we're here now! My fault!" she screamed.
Dib sighed, he didn't know how to deal with this. Did he go and try to comfort his sister and get punched again, or comfort Tak by blaming himself more? It didn't make sense. For one in his life, Zim had done the right thing and didn't think about himself, and yet Dib was still in the wrong! Why did Zim always win?
A few hours later, Tak had tired herself out from the sudden new emotions of guilt, forcing her human form into sleep. Dib looked over and found Gaz curled up in sleep too. GIR and Mimi huddled against her. Her face was still wet from tears. Dib swallowed hard, he had to make her happy again. He was horrified that he too felt guilt.
He didn't want to leave Zim there, but he had to protect his sister. For once, Zim and Dib were on the same page about that. Dib couldn't stand to see his sister to upset, and as for Tak, he was confused about how he felt for her, but he knew that he couldn't leave her like this. Zim, for once he'd been a hero, and like he said, Dib owed him one. He had to fix this. For the sake of everyone.
(Fix You - Coldplay)
Dib:
I tried my best but it wasn't enough...
He is what you want and what you need,
You're so young, I watched you grow.
It's not fair on you...
I've never seen you cry like this before...
I thought that I was all you need...
but to love someone like that is a gift.
Even if it's him...
I will bring, him home,
If it'll make, you smile.
And I will try... to fix this.
Dib brushed Gaz' hair out of her face and glanced over at Tak who still had his coat wrapped around her. He pulled it higher around her neck and sighed.
High up on Irk or down on Earth,
When you're too confused to let me know,
But if you never try you'll never know,
Just what you mean to me...
I did like you back home,
And I still do now so I,
I will try... to help you...
Dib stood in the middle of the two and found that he meant every word he was saying. His hatred for Zim was nothing but an ember compared to the hatred he felt for himself right then. If saving Zim meant that his sister was happy, and Tak would not blame herself, then it was worth it. He knew what he had to do.
I swear, I will protect,
The both of you with all my might...
So I'll, do what's right...
And I...
Little Sis, and now you, Tak,
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes!
I'll accept, that alien...
And I...
I will bring, him home,
I will be here, for you.
And I will try... to fix this.
Dib gently moved Tak's chair out of the way and tapped in a few coordinates and tilted the gear stick to the side. The motion of the ship woke up Gaz and Tak. They eyed him suspiciously.
"What's going on?" Tak demanded.
"Where are we?" Gaz snapped.
Dib sighed and didn't turn around, he couldn't believe he was doing this.
"Be prepared, we're going back for the space-boy."