Episode 6: The Ghosts of Your Past (Part 3)

(Later that afternoon…)

Fear…

It did not begin to describe the feeling that she felt deep in her squeedlyspooch! Tak shivered as she approached the Tallest's throne room of the palace. They hadn't spoke to her since there encounter early this morning. And their silence was like a deadly snake wrapping around her frail body and waiting for the perfect moment to squeeze her to death.

Yes, it was safe to say that she was practically knocking on death's door…

Tak forced herself to get a grip as she knocked on the door to the throne room.

"Enter!" Purple's voice called from inside.

Tak took one last deep breath and opened the door.

She was met with the sight of Red and Purple sitting on their thrones calmly waiting for her to come inside.

"Tak, Purple and I have decided that since you have already been a part of the resistance for some time that there is no point in waiting to begin." Red informed her.

"There will be a weapons shipment running through town in one week." Purple cut in.

"Weapons? You want to give the resistance weapons!" Tak was astonished.

"Calm yourself Tak there is a reason that we chose this one." Red assured her.

"Such a heist would require the help of as many personnel as possible. You said it yourself in order to learn something about the enemy we have to give them something first. So Red and I thought why not set up something that can actually work in our favor?"

"Forgive me sirs but how does letting weapons get into enemy hands help us?" Tak asked, not really getting it.

"As I said, such a heist would require the help of as many personnel as possible." Red went on. "Meaning in order for the rebels to pull this one off they will need the help of all their members."

"Don't you see we will finally know for sure how many humans we're dealing with?" Purple cut in.

Tak nodded showing her understanding of the plan. "It's a good plan, but the resistance have never operated a plan as risky as this. They might hesitate to engage." She pointed out.

"True, but they will not be able to ignore the fact that the weapons will give them the extra power they need to finally be on equal playing fields with us. I mean look at them! All they've ever used is hand to hand combat!" Purple exclaimed.

"Yes, I suppose it would be a difficult opportunity for them to pass up." Tak agreed out loud. "Very well my Tallest I shall leak the information to the rebels and hopefully they will take the bait."

"Then go at once there is not a moment to lose!" Red ordered.

Tak bowed and left quickly with a smile on her face.

Her's and Gaz's plan was working perfectly, soon the Tallest would be like putty in their hands.

And then nothing would be able to stop them…

(Back with Josh/Dib…)

Nothing could have prepared him for this moment…

But whether he was prepared or not mattered little to the flashing message on his communicator.

Dib,

We need to talk!

-Tak

Four words, and nothing more; and it was very difficult for Josh to keep himself from expecting the worst!

What was she going to say? Was she going to warn them that the Tallest were on to them? Or perhaps she would be setting him up for a trap.

He had no idea which one it would be, and that small fact was helping him realize the risk he took in contacting her in the first place. But if he ignored her now he could also risk putting Gaz in danger so with little delay he gave a response.

Tak,

Meet me at the spot 1600 hours.

-Dib

Josh sighed deeply as he boarded the school bus, trap or not he'd be meeting with Tak in 1 hour. For a moment he thought about telling Zim, but quickly dismissed the fact. His old enemy was already stressed as it was. The last thing he needed was another problem added to the already bone crushing load that the Irken must be feeling by now.

Unfortunately, it didn't matter what Josh wanted, because the moment his brother sat down beside him he knew something was up.

"Alright spit it out!" Joseph demanded.

"Spit what out?" Josh asked trying to sound as clueless as possible.

"Something is on your mind I can tell!" Joseph snapped. "So, spit it out before I make you!"

Josh winced; Joseph's temper was flaring up again! "Cadet Scamooch has noticed your behavior. We all have!" It wasn't what he meant to say, in fact Josh had meant to stay quiet until Joseph eventually gave up; yet here he was knowingly starting a fight.

Joseph looked at him with an obviously stunned look on his face, finally he spoke. "He told you?"

Josh nodded. "Listen I don't know what it is you're going through, but I need to! We're in this together and we can't keep stuff from each other anymore!"

Joseph sighed he knew his brother was right, sooner or later he'd have to tell him what was going on. Especially when the final stage of the change could happen any day! After a Worthy one reaches full height the final stage of the change is supposed to take effect: The Metamorphosis! Which is supposed to be a very dangerous and painful process, and not just for them, but others around them as well.

Yes, it would be wise to tell Josh everything, but he couldn't find himself to do so…

Why?

It was because of two reasons really, one reason being the fact that there was a chance he could die! He didn't want to give the others false hope that he would be the answer to all their problems. His other reason was a little more selfish, if he told someone else about what was really going on than it would become real! And Joseph didn't want it to be real, because deep down he knew he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready to kill the Tallest for their crimes, and he wasn't ready to replace them when the time came to do so!

"It's nothing, I'm fine." Joseph finally answered.

Josh couldn't help but flinch at the obvious lie. And suddenly just like that he wanted to prove to Joseph just how dangerous his secrets could be. "Tak contacted me said there's something important we need to discuss." He said. "And I don't know maybe she'll be honest and tell me what's going on with you!"

Joseph blinked at him wildly obviously surprised by Josh's response. But after taking a moment to regain his composer he said. "Well if you think you're going alone then you have another thing coming."

Josh sighed. "You're never going to completely trust me are you?" he asked.

"What are you talking about, of course I trust you." Joseph whispered trying his best not to draw attention to themselves. After all this was a school bus, and Rachel, Mark and James were sitting only inches away.

"Then why won't you tell me what's going on?" Josh groaned. "I mean you expect us to trust you, but you keep us in the dark."

"You wouldn't understand!" Joseph snapped quietly.

"How do you know if you won't give me a chance?" Josh challenged.

Their eyes met briefly, and for a moment Josh swore he saw fear in the alien's eyes.

Joseph turned away fighting back tears he wanted to hide away and pretend this wasn't happening. After all Tallest Miyuki said it herself no more than one Worthy One from every class has ever survived the change. Heck the fact that both Red and Purple survived was a miracle; something that had never been done before! So, to even hope that he too would survive was like putting your arm in a fire and thinking you wouldn't get burned.

It was stupid, and hopeless!

Joseph sighed. "Josh I can't okay."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Fine be that way-"

Joseph put his hand on his brother arm and whispered. "I'm sick okay." He finally whispered. "And my chances of survival are slim."

Josh felt like he just ran into a brick wall at a thousand miles per hour. "How- how could you not tell me?" he stuttered.

"I didn't want to worry you and the others." Joseph answered.

"Zim this is serious; we need to tell the other's; maybe we can help-"

"There is nothing you can do, it's like the triple E virus; there is no cure, and no treatment." Joseph explained. "We just have to ride it out and hope for the best."

Josh bit his lip, suddenly wishing he hadn't asked.

"Now do you see why I didn't tell you?" Joseph said as if he had been reading his thoughts.

"We should still tell the others." Josh said.

"Tell them if you want." Joseph said getting up as the bus stopped in front of their home. "But it still won't change the facts. This is something I must bear on my own!"

"What was that all about?" Rachel asked as Joseph began to get off the bus.

Josh sighed. "He's sick that's why he's been acting up." He answered.

"Eww! It better not be contagious!" Mark snapped with disgust.

Josh knock him upside the head. "He's dying jerk!" he whispered harshly.

Mark's eyes widen, "He is?"

"Yeah so why don't you show him a little sympathy!" Josh warned.

For once Mark actually looked worried for him, "He can't die we need him."

"Is there anything we can do?" James asked hopefully.

"According to Zim no, it's just something he has to deal with until it's over." Josh answered sadly.

"Gee no wonder he's been out of it." Rachel said. "I think I'd be pretty moody too if I knew I was dying and had no way of stopping it."

"Hey, are you going to get off the bus, or what?" The bus driver yelled from the front seat.

"Oh sorry!" Josh yelled and then whispered to the others. "We'll talk more about this tonight at the base. Zim, and I have to meet Tak about something."

The four nodded, and even though Josh could tell they wanted to ask more they didn't.

Josh sighed in relief as he rushed off the bus, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

If Zim died, their greatest ally would be lost, and even worse…

Dib would be burden with the responsibility of giving Gaz the bad news.

'She'll be devastated!' he thought.

And she wouldn't be the only one! Dib couldn't remember a time Zim wasn't in his life, he truly was like the brother he never had; and Dib had to admit he had grown attached to their friendship.

'He'll make it.' He said to himself confidently as he entered the house, and then with a fearful whisper he added.

'He just has to…'

(Back with Tak one hour later...)

He was late…

30 minutes late to be exact, and Tak was beginning to think that he wasn't coming at all. She rolled her eyes and leaned against the brick wall of the overpass sighing impatiently, she hated waiting!

Finally, a rustle came from behind her, she turned to see not one, but two figures approach her. It was far too dark even for her superior eyes to make out their faces, but Tak could smell the familiar scents of Dib and Zim. "Your late." She scowled.

"We wanted to make sure you were alone." Zim said coldly. "Now this better be good."

Tak flinched at his tone but forced herself to calm down. Zim was proving to be more tempered then their last encounter, which was unsettling to say the least, but to her surprise she noticed as they stepped into the spotlight of the streetlamp that a look of understanding seemed to find its way on Dib's face.

Had Zim told him about what was going on?

Somehow Tak doubted as much, it was more likely that Zim had lied or only told a half truth to the human.

She cleared her throat and said. "Listen I have heard word from one of the royal guard that a Weapons shipment is going to take place here at the main bridge in one week."

"A weapons shipment?" Zim asked looking thoughtful. "It's most likely going to be used to better arm the ground troops against us."

"We can't let that happen!" Dib exclaimed. "If we do we'll be putting the rookies in danger!"

"Yes, it would be best for us to sabotage the mission, and take what we can, but we need to collaborate with the others." Zim told him. "This is a big mission, and I don't think the rookies are ready."

"Your right we will need everyone!" Dib agreed. "What time will it take place Tak?"

"Midnight." Tak answered. "And there will be at least 9 or 10 men on guard."

Zim nodded "All we can do for now is address the others and see where they stand."

Tak nodded. "It's best you don't tell me the end result." She said. "It's easier for me to lie to the Tallest when I know little to nothing about you."

Zim's eyes narrowed. "Let's make something clear if I find out your intentions are anything but pure I'll-"

"Zim!" Dib warned.

"No, it's okay." Tak assured him. "I understand and trust me my intentions are good ones." She promised Zim. "It's true that I still don't agree with a lot of human things and your way of life, but what the Tallest have done must not be ignored. And if teaming up with you all makes them pay, then I'd rather lose the Earth; then have them kill another of our people!"

Zim saw the fire in her eyes, and he could tell that it was the same fire he felt burning in his very soul. It was the fire of betrayal! He relaxed suddenly reassured, "Dib was right to call you." He told her. "I am glad you are here."

Tak smiled. "I still hate you; you know."

Zim broke into a soft fit of laughter and said. "Trust me the feeling is mutual."

Dib couldn't help but sigh in relief, this was the first time he had saw a real smile on the Irken in a long time.

And that's when he realized it.

Zim's illness was only half of the problem, it was obvious now!

Zim missed being around his own people…

And Dib couldn't blame him, how lonely it must be to be surrounded by another race that hated your people for everything they had done. To stand apart from his fellow soldiers just because he knew what he was doing was right.

He wasn't even sure that he himself would have that much strength.

"We'll keep in touch." Zim said to Tak, breaking Dib from his thoughts. "Let us know if there is any change."

Tak simply nodded and they parted ways.

"We should gather the team and tell them about this new information." Dib whispered.

Zim stayed very still for a moment, listening for any signs of danger; when he was sure they were safe he said. "Okay we'll gather the team let's go Dib."

"Race you!" He scoffed and took off.

Zim was about to run after him when suddenly a sound reached his ears. "Dib wait!"

Dib came to a screeching halt, but it was too late a large Irken electric van raced by him, and a slave trader picked him up and threw him inside. "Zim!"

"Dib!" Zim raced after the vehicle, but it became very clear that he wasn't going to make it in time.

Dib yelped as the Irken slave trader hit him upside the head with a hard metal staff. His vision blurred and after the second blow dark spots lined his view.

Suddenly the back double doors of the van swung open to a young girl about his age, cloaked in black robes with a white handkerchief tied over her face, covering her nose and mouth, leaving her white clouded eyes out in the open.

"You!" The Irken charged at the intruder.

Dib almost didn't believe his eyes, but there was no denying it. 'She's blind.' He realized.

But her blindness did nothing to slow her down, she side stepped her enemy and pulled out an electric rod; electrocuting her attacker.

The Irken fell to the floor, and the girl used the same rod to short circuit the van causing it to spin out of control.

Dib winced as the girl swung him over her shoulder and jumped them out of the car and into the safety of the shadows.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she sat him down.

"I – I think so." He answered. "Who - Who are you?" he asked.

The girl looked as if she was about to answer him when Zim showed up running full sprint towards them.

Dib watched as she began to back up slowly, "Wait it's okay he's with me!" He said, but it was too late she had already slipped into the shadows, and out of sight.

Zim reached his side moments later. "Dib are you okay?!" he exclaimed. "Can you move?"

"Yeah I think so." Dib answered as he slowly got into a seating position.

Zim offered him a hand and helped him to his feet. "Who was that?" he asked.

"I wish I knew." Dib answered softly.

Episode 6: The Ghost of Your Past (Part 3) END!

Author's Notes: OMG it would appear there is a new hero in town, but who is this blind girl, and can she really be trusted?

Tune in next time to find out!

Shout-out(s): As always I thank all my readers for reading and please review.