Author's Note's: So I know I left you at another cliff hanger, but it's what I am famous for. Thanks for all your comments, and for following my story.


(Just outside Earth's Atmosphere…)

He couldn't believe he had actually made it!

Invader Skoodge gave a loud sigh of relief he as switched off the ship's cloaking device. He was so sure the Massive would have detected his arrival, he floated right pass them as he entered Earth's orbit, but the Massive did not respond to him, or even try to make contact.

Good the less they knew the better, after all if they noticed his arrival they would have noticed the Ship's ID would read as Prince Maz's royal space cruiser. Which would raise some antennas since Maz had docked on the Massive four months before and had stayed there.

Little did Skoodge know however; Maz was already aware of his ship's disappearance.

"Sir…" A soldier at the controls of the Massive addressed the Prince cautiously. "Your ship just floated by us." He said.

"Good." Maz mused.

"Your ship is not docked?" Emperor Nax asked.

"No that sneaky friend of Zim's took it." Maz answered. He knew this because his PAK was synced with his ship. So once it was turned on he knew, not only that, but the security feed was wireless transmitted to his PAK as well. So he watched as Skoodge boarded his vessel and took off.

"You let him steal your ship!" Grogg gasped, shocked.

"He was the one that gave Zim the idea to leave in the first place." Maz explained. "He even hacked into the control computers of the Irken Academy and added Zim to the rosters."

"I was wondering how he managed to slip in unnoticed." Emperor Nax mused. "So he's off to warn Zim of the real plot. And you are ok with this."

"Sure why not." Maz laughed. "it will throw him off his game as he constantly looks over his shoulder wondering when I'll show up to ruin things."

You mean if I don't manage to do it first." Grogg warned.

"Well this just got more interesting." Red piped in, as the smoke from Zim's street began to clear from the previous implosion.

"And just when we thought things couldn't get more complexed." Purple whispered.

Red couldn't agree more, the last thing they needed was any more surprises especially when he wasn't entirely sure they had convinced the Emperor of their innocence in Zim's situation.

If Emperor Nax discovered their plans to have Zim killed; they'd be finished!


(Back with Dib, moments after the implosion…)

He was so sure they were all dead!

So you can imagine the shock when he actually realized he could open his eyes.

Dib's mouth fell open at the scene before him, there he was in the Voot cruiser, with Gaz, Zim, and Gir, in the middle of a crater where the Irken base use to be.

The ships door open, and the four reluctant passengers peered out cautiously fearful that one of the spiders might have outwitted them. However, to their relief they were alone.

Dib and the others climbed out of the crater moments later.

"And let me guess no one saw any of this…" Dib said knowingly.

Zim looked around and to his utter relief the street was a ghost town. "Nope, it's as quiet as ever."

"Just my luck." Dib moaned.

The Irken audience aboard the Massive snickered at the perfect example of Dib's never ending bad luck.

"So now what?" Gaz asked.

"Yeah Zim, where are we going to live!" Dib yelled.

"I told you." Zim said pulling a high-tech looking pad out of his pocket. "I have another." He assured him as he began drawling a house one the pad. Once he was done he rolled the device up until it resembled a small screw. He drops it where his home use to be and the device slowly drills itself into the ground, and seconds later their house pops back up. "See problem solve."

"Wow that's convenient." Dib said astounded.

"You know you could come home Dib." Gaz said. "I know dad's a pain but at least our house never blows up!"

Dib bite his lip, he knew Gaz missed him in her own way, she must hate being home all alone all the time. Sure Dib still came over for Dinner, but apparently that wasn't enough for Gaz. And in all honesty it wasn't enough for Dib either. However, Dib was still not ready to face his father, or better worded his creator! It may sound selfish, but he just couldn't stand being in the same home as a man who lied to him all his life.

"Fine whatever." Gaz said stalking away. "I'm going home, I've had enough weird for one day."

"You know she's right." Zim said. "You'd be best going home."

"I thought you wanted to keep me close." Dib smirked.

Zim sighed. "Dib I'm serious, it's only going to get more complicated from here."

"Why?" Dib asked. "Because we're enemies living under the same roof?"

"Dib it's complicated okay?" Zim huffed.

"Complicated? Zim we sleep in the same fucking bed!" Dib screamed.

The passengers of the Massive gasp.

"I knew it!" Maze exclaimed.

"So he's done right?" Grogg asked hopefully. "You'll disown him?"

Emperor Nax chuckled. "If he secures the planet, then as far as I see it he was doing what was necessary to secure the mission's success."

"Oh come on!" Grogg whined. "He committed Taboo!"

"Yes and as distasteful as it is." Red cut in. "it seems to have the desired effect. The Dib isn't as sharp as he used to be. An Invader must do whatever it takes to secure their assigned planet, even something as distasteful as taboo."

"Wouldn't be the first time either." Purple added. "In Impending Doom 1, Invader Link married the future Empress of Planet Kurian, and played the role as Emperor for several years before the Armada took over, and well they produce young the old fashion way too."

"How disgusting!" Grogg shook his head in distaste.

"And you let him get away with it?" Emperor Nax asked.

"Well the Empress did own the largest amount of manganese, molybdenum, nickel, aluminum, and titanium left in the known galaxy at the time. So of course we forgave his transgressions in exchange for securing such a large vast of resources."

"It's still disgusting." Grogg hissed.

"As distasteful as it is, Zim is still nobility whether he likes it or not, and it's not against the laws of Nobility to commit taboo." Maz pointed out. "It's just greatly looked down on."

"Why are you defending him?" Grogg argued. "You hate him as much as I do."

"Yes, but I plan to beat him fair and square, not because I discredited him to father." Maz snickered.

Grogg growled but said nothing else as they continued to watch Zim, and the human.

"How can it possibly get more complicated than that?" Dib snapped.

Zim bit his lip, of course this was a habit he had picked up while on Earth, which only proved just how long he had been here. "I might not have been entirely honest about who I am as far as Irken hierarchy goes."

"Zim what are you saying?" Dib asked.

Zim groan. "Are you sure you want to stay, I mean wouldn't you rather have some space to plot my demise?"

"You're not getting rid of me that easy." Dib scoffed as they entered the newly made house which looked just like the old one in every way, right down to the unfolded clothes on the table. "I'm closer than ever before. I've learn more in these short four weeks about you and your race than I have in the seven years I've known you."

"Yeah and what if I told you the "me" that you knew was a lie?" Zim asked, for some reason he feels as if he has betrayed the other for not tell him the truth sooner. It was more obvious to him now than ever before that this lowly earth worm has wiggled his way into his mind. So much that he actually had feelings for the child before him.

"Zim what are you talking about?" Dib asked.

"I'm not…" Zim paused as he was interrupted by a beep from his PAK.

"What was that?" Dib asked.

"It's a message from one of my fellow invaders…we trained together." Zim said. "He says he has to see me, it's urgent."

"Is the Armada coming?" Dib asked, holding his breath, praying the answer was no.

Zim didn't disappoint him. "I don't think so, he wouldn't sound so distressed. Somethings up, Irk I knew the Tallest were too perky for my liking!"

"Their smiles did seem forced." Dib agreed.

Zim sighed. "Dib go home." He said.

"I am home." Dib answered.

Zim growled. "I'm serious Dib, if certain people find out that I'm the invader securing this planet it may not end well for you." He warned, bringing to light what he had feared all along.

Ever since the Tallest had called him he has felt the unmistakable feeling of being watched by HIM! He could feel his father's eyes on him. He had been fighting the realization all morning but now that Dib had forced him to address their situation he could not deny the feeling no longer.

The Tallest said they had discussed Earth with the nobles; of course, that included his father, no doubt the Emperor would recognize his own son in a heartbeat once he saw his file which would have been presented to him during the debrief.

In short his Father knew he was here, and Zim knew that if Nax had his way he'd find a way to force Zim to take the throne. Something he still wasn't sure he even wanted to do.

"Are you saying you're worried about my safety?" Dib asked.

Was he?

Was Zim worried for Dib? No doubt his father may eliminate him if he saw the child as a distraction.

"Of course not!" Zim shouted, "I just…" other words had a hard time following, Zim growled. "Fine Stay, don't stay, come; don't come. Do whatever the hell you want, you always do!"

"Zim I…" Dib began, reaching out to him.

"I have to go." Zim said turning, before running out the door.

"Zim wait." Dib ran after him, but Zim didn't slow down. However it didn't take long for the teen to figure out where they were headed.

The Park.

They stopped at the center of it, surrounded by trees, and well hidden from the rest of the town.

For a moment nothing happens, the two just breathe heavily; still tired from the run from the spiders. Finally the sound of a ship landing reached their ears, and they looked up to see a large cruiser slowly descending down.

Zim's eyes widen, he knew this cruiser; "Dib go home now!" Zim warned.

"Zim what's going on?" Dib yelled loudly, as the ships descent became louder, and louder; drowning him out.

"I mean it Dib!" Zim yelled. "Leave, Now!"

"No!" Dib shouted, as the ship came to a stop on the ground in front of them. The engine dies down, and the ramp like door falls open.

Zim steps in front of Dib protectively as he pulls out his laser and aims. "One more step Maz and your dead!" he warned.

Maz snickered at the scene before him. "Looks like he's already jumpy." He mused.

"You think brother will shoot him before the fat idiot can tell him everything?" Grogg asked.

"He just might." Red answered. "He is one to shoot first and ask questions later."

"Quiet all of you." Emperor Nax ordered.

"I mean it Maz, I don't care one lick about you, you little swine." Zim warned once more.

"Zim! Wait it's me!" Invader Skoodge yelled, as he came into view.

Zim stops, surprised for a moment. "Skoodge?" he asked.

Invader Skoodge nodded. "Yes I came to-"

Zim's eyes changed from shocked to rage. "You idiot!" he screamed pouncing, ramming Invader Skoodge against the cruiser. "You scared me half to death!"

"I know Zim, but I had no other choice, I had to warn you." Invader Skoodge insisted.

"So you stole my brother's ship." Zim hissed. "Are you mad, he'll sentence you to death the moment he finds you!"

"Brother?" Dib mutters. "But I thought all Irkens were clones…"

Zim ignores him as Invader Skoodge tries to explain himself.

"My Voot was stuck in dock, and I had to get to you, so I took it ok." Skoodge explained.

"And what is it that you had to tell me that is so important?" Zim snapped.

"He knows Zim, Emperor Nax knows everything." Invader Skoodge exclaimed.

"Emperor?" Dib asked looking lost.

"Of course he knows everything!" Zim shouted.

"Wait you know?" Invader Skoodge asked.

"I'm not stupid Skoodge." Zim hissed. "The Tallest said they spoke to the Nobles that includes my father!"

"Father!" Dib piped.

"Not now Dib." Zim hissed.

"But you said Irkens don't reproduce anymore so how-" Dib began, but Zim cut him off.

"I said not now Dib!" he then turns his attention back to Invader Skoodge. "Now please tell me you did not risk your skin just to tell me the obvious."

"Well there is another thing..." Invader Skoodge trailed off.

"Yes, go on." Zim urged.

Invader Skoodge looked unsure. "Promise me you won't kill me okay?"

Zim rolled his eyes "I will kill you if you don't say it already!" he warned.

"Okay. Here it goes." Invader Skoodge took a deep breath. "Your father says that whoever secures the planet has to take the throne."

"Throne?" Dib asked out loud. "Wait did you say throne as in royalty?"

Zim's eyes went blood red and his fist reared back, ready to strike the invader before him.

"Wait you promised." Invader Skoodge pleaded, "Zim you promised."

Zim screamed, and punched the ship, inches from Invader Skoodge's head. "That no good son of a- Oh I knew he do something like this!"

"So what are you going to do?" Invader Skoodge asked.

"Do?" Zim hissed. "Isn't it obvious? I have my orders, and my orders are to secure this planet!"

"But your father!" Invader Skoodge pointed out.

"I have worked to damn hard to back out now, I did this to make a name for myself, and no one is taking this away from me, especially not Maz! And if I must take the throne to secure all my hard work then so be it."

"Okay hi Dib here!" Dib said stepping in between them. "Can I ask just one question?" and then without waiting for an answer he screams. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Who is this guy?" Invader Skoodge asked.

Zim bit his lip. "Uh this is….um."

Invader Skoodge gave him a weird look.

"Hi I'm Dib." Dib said cutting in. "I'm Zim's mortal enemy, and I plan to destroy you all."

Invader Skoodge seemed to nod at this. "And you're here with Zim?"

"Yes." Dib answered.

"No!" Zim lied.

Invader Skoodge looked back and forth between the two. "So which one is it then?"

Dib looked to Zim.

Zim chuckled halfheartedly. "It's complicated." He admitted.

Invader Skoodge's eyes widen. "Zim you can't afford complicated your father and your brothers' are-"

"Wait slow down." Zim said. "Brothers?" He asked. "As in plural?"

"Uh yes…" Invader Skoodge answered.

Zim growled and kicked up some dirt. "That idiot! I told him not to mess this up, and what does he do? He messes it up!"

"Well in his defense." Invader Skoodge began.

"Don't defend him!" Zim yelled. "That swine told father he killed me and threw me into the dump like common trash!" Zim screamed. "He didn't even give me a noble death!"

"Ouch!" Dib said.

"Oh he's the one that's going to be saying ouch!" Zim vowed, shaking his fist. "Once I get my hands on him I'll-"

"Zim this is serious." Invader Skoodge interrupted him.

"I am being serious!" Zim hissed, and then to Invader Skoodge's surprised managed to take a deep breath and calm down. "Sorry you were saying?"

"Wow since when did you learn patience?" Invader Skoodge asked.

"Earth and its inhabitance have forced me to learn such things." Zim explained. "Anyways tell me about my youngest brother."

"Well his name is Grogg."

"Grogg?" Zim asked. "A strong name, and what's he like."

"Well um." Invader Skoodge thought for a moment, then answered. "Think your father, only shorter."

"Perfect." Zim shook his head. "That boob, I gave him one job Skoodge, one job! And he ruined it!"

"So what's your plan?" Invader Skoodge asked.

"My plan?" Zim asked.

"Yes Zim your father has made his point very clear, whoever secures the planet gets the throne, meaning your brothers could show up at any minute and ruin everything!" Invader Skoodge explained.

"Okay that's it!" Dib yelled. "Zim you better tell me what's going on here or I'll do something crazy!" he swore.

"Seriously Zim who is this guy!" Invader Skoodge asked again.

"It's complicated!" Zim growled, grabbing Dib by the arm and pulling him away from Skoodge and the ship. "Seriously Dib, now is not the time!"

"You lied to me!" Dib screamed.

"And you're surprised?" Zim asked. "I lie about everything Dib, I'm an Invader it's what I do."

"No you're not getting away with it that easily." Dib snapped.

"And why should I tell you anything?" Zim hissed. "You said it yourself. We're enemies!"

"You owe me an especially!" Dib yelled. "After what you put me through the past seven years, exceptionally the past few weeks!"

Zim groaned; the boy did have a point. "Fine." he sighed. "I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to laugh!" Zim said.

"Laugh?" Dib asked. "Zim why would I laugh?"

"Just promise you won't laugh!" Zim hissed.

"Okay, okay." Dib said, putting his hands up defensively. "I won't laugh."

Zim sighed, and with a big brave filled breath he began to tell Dib everything…


Chapter End Notes

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This is Emily Signing off...