Episode 7: Minion
Episode Summary-After their near miss with the Irken Worshipers The Renegades decided it's time for a much needed break as Dib and Zim begin to adjust to their lives on Zec. Meanwhile The Tallest begin to loss their control over their salves as War rages throughout the cosmos.
Disclaimers: I Do Not Own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: And we are back with another exciting episode of Invader Zim Renegades! Thank you all for all your comments and dedication to this series.
Hope you guys enjoy!
Yours Truly, RoxieDivine :)
Episode 7-Minion (Part 1)
(Back with the Tallest…)
[One Week after the Water Factory Incident.]
{Location: The Palace, On Zec}
They knew the Water Factory Incident would cause an uprising among their slaves…
However, Tallest Red and Purple had never expected a retaliation of this magnitude! For once word got out that the precious water source was gone…well it was as if they had kicked a hornets nest. The prisoners of every enslaved planet began to riot against their Irken captures, and all production lines stopped simultaneous. Which meant no new weapons were being produced, nor were any snacks, or technology of any kind.
The almighty Irken Machine had come to a stand still, and that wasn't even the half of it!
A Vort by the name of Lard Nar had declared War against the Irken Empire in the name of the Ancients and had liberated several Prisoners to join his army. It was as if the Tallest had been punched in the gut! Their own Ancestors had somehow found out about Zim's true status and were rallying against them. And for the first time ever the Irken race found themselves in a War that they couldn't hope to win.
For they had lost their greatest weapon; their control over the universe.
No one was afraid of them anymore!
Why?
Because Zim and his rebels had proved that they were more than capable of throwing them off their game!
Red and Purple had it all, until that little warm took it all away! And the fact that they allowed some worthless and pathetic Defective to out due them made them see red! At first they dished out the blame to their soldiers punishing them for their insolents, but it wasn't long before the two Amons began to blame each other.
"If you had listened to me he'd be dead!" Red was currently screaming to his partner as another chair went flying. "But no you had to let the brains banish him."
"It was you who convinced me we should plot against him in the first place." Purple growled back. "He never wanted to be the Tallest, but you wouldn't let it go!"
"He could have changed his mind." Red yelled back. "Heck he did change his mind."
"And our crimes against him is why he did!" Purple screamed the obvious.
General Kazar stiffened a laugh as he watched the scene play out before him from the safety of his own Quarters. Now that he had pledged his alliance to Zim the general had placed spyware within the throne room as well as other locations in the palace to monitor their every move. The point was to gather evidence to prove that the Tallest were too weak to continue ruling Irk. Evidence that would be used to sway the Irken Empire to start fighting back against their own leaders.
And needless to say there was plenty of proof that this plan would work in his favor. For both fully realized Amons were barely holding themselves together. For years Red and Purple had been known as the only Amons whoever ruled as Tallest together.
Before them there had always been one Tallest, and the Taller. The Taller being an Amon with the potential to survive the change. This of course was done for a reason, Amons were the top dogs with Alpha personalities. And logically two Alpha personalities would be expected to clash together. To constantly argue and challenge each other for the more dominate role of the partnership.
Red and Purple however, seemed to have a balance, often taking turns being the more Dominate Alpha. But alas, there were reasons why 2 Alpha personalities should never coexist.
Why?
Because such a balance could never hope to last, eventually something would form a wedge between them. And in this case that something had been Zim!
Zim was the underdog, who should have no chance of winning. And yet he was destroying them without even having to touch them.
General Kazar smiled, if this kept up Zim wouldn't have to worry about fighting both of them. No at this rate Red and Purple would engage in a fight of their own, and it wouldn't take much for said fight to become deadly. One wrong word or gesture at the wrong time would be all that was needed to push them over the edge.
And then there'd be one less Tallest to worry about.
"At this rate they'll kill each other." Tak hissed from beside him.
"I think that's the point." Gaz said before Kazar could answer.
The two females had grown a habit of watching the enemy with him in their spare time. And even though tensions between the three were high Kazar could feel them getting use to the partnership that Zim had thrown them into.
"It won't be long now." He assured them.
"Should we move?" Tak asked. Of course, she was asking if they should start recruiting Irken soldiers to join their ranks.
Kazar was half tempted to take her up on the offer, but he weary; and not out of fear that it wouldn't work. No Kazar had no doubt that the lower ranking soldiers would take little convincing to convert, heck many would follow his lead without question.
They didn't need proof that the Tallest were falling apart, they were soldiers and he was their general and they would obey him regardless.
No, it was the other Top Twelve that he was going to have a hard time convincing. For like him they were all Tallers who had not reached the final stage of the change. In other words they were equal in status, and had the right to question his motives.
"If we do not win the favor of the Top Twelve then Taller Zim will have more than the Tallest to worry about." General Kazar insisted.
Taller Zim…
Tak had to admit the title felt sour in her mouth, mostly because she still blamed Zim for her life turning out so shabby in the first place. And yet, thanks to Zim she was now a manger player in the greatest war in Irken history.
Such realizations made it hard to be mad at him, and yet she still hated him all the same.
Gaz was also finding the title hard to adjust to, but for other reasons; selfish reasons! Zim was the future of Irk. He would be their leader and he would remove them from all the worlds they conquered in order to allow the once enslaved races to rebuild. That included Earth, yes Zim would be leaving soon so where did that leave her?
Where did that leave them?
What did it say about their relationship?
The answer was simple; they were through…over…done.
And that's why the title: Taller Zim felt sour to her, because every time she heard it her heart broke just a little more.
It was only a matter of time before it shattered completely.
Kazar however, was feeling good about all the events that had transpired. For he was about to get his greatest wish. An Amon he mentored was one step closer to becoming Tallest, he would go down in history as the one who made Zim the leader he is today.
Which meant even if he died before this war was over he'd be remembered forever; a legend.
And that is why the title: Taller Zim brought him nothing but pride for he knew that no mater happen…
He, General Kazar had already won!
(Back with Mia…)
{Location: The Dome}
She had meant to report in sooner…
But so much had happened in such a short amount of time that she often caught herself forgetting to breathe.
Mia, the once Irken rebel leader marveled at the structure around her. Yes, she was no longer leader of the Irken rebels; even if they still looked to her for guidance. No, Zim was their Taller, and it was best that they all got use to taking orders from him. A task that proved to be easier said than done, and not from the lack of trying. Zim's orders, and methods were just so strange to them. Take the Dome for example, the secret Headquarters of the Renegades sounded like a death for any Irken. And the Irken Rebels had a hard time adjusting, in fact many thought one false move would cause water to spill in; causing their doom.
Even Mia felt weak in the knees just thinking about the fact that she was now living under hundreds of tons of water. However, now that she had grown use to the idea she was beginning to see the genius behind the strategy. No Irken would dare to think they were under here, heck she and her fellow rebels had been in the very tunnel the Renegades use to access their HQ. She had been right there at the edge of the cliff, and never once did she think to dive into the waves below.
No Irken would, and that's why it was so ingenuous; it was also the perfect example of why Zim would win this war. The enemy's soldiers think they are dealing with just another Irken, but Zim is unlike any Irken before himself. He doesn't think like an Irken, no he thinks like a defective, because he is not another Irken machine. He is his own master, and that was why he would win; Mia was sure of it.
Mia stood before the supercomputer with much anticipation as she counted down the seconds that she would be able to use it. Unfortunately, while their hiding spot shielded them from many things; an off world transmission being made from the bottom of the sea made them stick out like a sore thumb. Which meant the Renegades often had to wait until another off world transmission was in effect before they could make one of their own.
Luckily, noon was a prime time for off world communications where several soldiers would report in to their Superior officers who were currently off world searching for the location of their dreaded enemy: The Ancients!
After the last Water factory fell Lard Nar had launched a revolutionary war on a Galactic scale in the name of the Irken races own ancestors. And all available Irken soldiers were off world fighting them. This of course left Earth more open to an attack; with less soldiers to police both Zec and the Earth's populist the Renegades will be able to move more freely. However, it was too soon to risk it.
So she waited until the stroke of noon.
"About to report in?" a voice asked her.
Mia turned to see the Earth female known as Rachel who smiled sweetly at her. The Irken rebel nodded, feeling out of place. She always found it strange that the humans didn't question their loyalty. Weren't they afraid that they'd betray them just as Tak had done before?
Rachel seemed to read her mind. "I know this must be strange to you." She said. "With us being so trusting and all but…" She sighed. "The truth is we were so use to being under the thumb of Irken Tierney that we forgot that our race could be just as evil."
"I am sorry for your friend." Mia said. "It must be so hard for her knowing her family is enslaved just above her on Zec and she can do nothing to help them. She must feel powerless."
"Crystal blames herself." Rachel admitted. "But with Dib and Zim up there we have a chance of saving them once the heat dies down."
"Invading Zec and liberating the minions will be a big win for us." Mia agreed. "It will show our Allies just how strong we are, and how weak Irk had become under their current leaders."
Rachel always thought it strange that the Irken rebels didn't see themselves as "Real Irkens." But then again, they were never treated as an equal towards their fellow Irkens so why would they? "I'm sorry, fighting against them must be…."
"Hard?" Mia asked. "They are a challenge, but I feel nothing for them." She admitted. "They are monsters who treated my kind like a plague when they are ones who are sick."
Rachel flinched at her harsh words. "They're just…lost." She assured her.
Mia smiled. "You humans always see the good in everything." She said. "I like that. And you are right, they are lost, but to think that we can save them all…" She shook her head. "Some will never accept the truth."
"The truth?" Rachel asked.
"That Irk is broken." Mia answered as the clock stroke twelve. Shew dialed the access code, and punched in Lard Nar's frequency.
"Would you like me to get Zim?" Rachel asked. "He might want to meet…"
Mia shook her head. "I have asked already."
"Oh…" Rachel said sounding defeated.
Mia however didn't look discouraged. "He is not ready yet." She assured Rachel. "Irk is counting on him, but he's so used to being told he's damaged. The Tallest tell him he's worthless, no good, pathetic." Mia shook her head. "How can we expect him to fix us when he's still convinced that he's the one that is broken?"
"But he's not!" Rachel said. "There is nothing wrong with him. There is nothing wrong with any of you."
Mia smiled for the human girl did not realize how right she really was. For she knew a secret; there was no such thing as Defective. The Master control brains had told her themselves, defective was just a lie; a tool the Tallest use to weed out the ones they couldn't control. But Zim was not ready to know the truth.
In time however, she hoped that would change.
Suddenly, Lard Nar appeared on the screen of the super computer. He looks hopeful, but his face falls into a frown as he notices. "He does not wish to speak to us?"
"He still had doubts." Goalit said walking up to stand by Mia's side.
Rachel stepped back respectfully, sure she was one of the leaders of the Renegades; but this was an Irken matter. Something Zim should be seeing too.
"He is full of doubt." A strong voice said as a tall female Irken appeared beside Lard Nar.
Rachel gasped, as Mia and Goalit instantly fell to their knees in her presence revealing her to the female's line of view. She was taller than she ever thought imaginable, her pinkish ruby eyes instantly reminded her of Zim.
"And who is this?" The female asked.
"I am Rachel." Rachel answered instantly, trying to remember that she was a voice of authority on this vessel. A task that was very hard to do with such a dominate females gaze upon her. "I am one of the five leaders of the Renegades, the main rebel cell of Earth." She gave a slight and respectful bow.
To her surprise the female returns it. "I am Miz, eldest Amon of the Irken Ancients." She answered. "It is an honor to finally meet a member of the race that we owe so much of our success to."
Rachel is taken aback by Miz's respectful domineer, she never knew an Irken of such high status to treat another race so equally. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Rachel managed to answer. "We have heard much about you since our rebel allies joined us a week ago."
This was true, Mia had told them everything she knew about the Ancients and Lard Nar. Assuring them that they would support them, and they show that support by starting this galactic war.
"How are your forces fairing?" Rachel asked.
Miz smiled looking down to Mia and Goalit. "Please stand." She told them.
It was only then that Rachel realized they were still bowing.
"Such respect is appreciated." Miz assured them as they rose. "But not necessary. Our forces are faring well. In fact I'm surprised of how effective we've become. Your latest attack on Earth has caused quite a standstill in the Enemy's production lines." Miz reported.
"Irk is at a standstill?" Goalit asked.
Miz nodded. "If production does not continue soon Irk will experience a shortage or goods and supplies. Tell Taller Zim I advise that he hold off his next attack until then."
"Zec will be much easier to invade due to the shortage of weapons." Rachel realized out loud. "I will let him know." She assured her.
Miz nodded. "Very good." She said. "In the meantime I need you two." She looked to Mia and Goalit. "To urge Zim that he must not stall his destiny."
"Destiny?" Rachel asked.
"Taller Zim willingly stepped down as an Amon ages ago." Miz explained. "Technically he isn't even a Taller and he has no right to challenge the current Tallest for their position."
"But he has too." Rachel insisted. "It's the only way to end this madness!" She exclaimed.
Goalit placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her. "He still can." He assured her.
"By receiving our blessing." Miz explained. "Zim will be reinstated as an Amon."
"Then I'll go get him." Rachel said. "We can do it now!"
Goalit grabbed her arm, stopping her. "It cannot be done here." He tried to explain.
"Why not?" Rachel asked.
"We don't just give a Taller our blessing." Miz explained. "Zim stepped down, and now he must prove that he deserves to have his title back."
"How?" Rachel asked.
"He must come to stand before the Ancients as whole." Miz instructed. "Once he arrives he will be tested by several trials. These trials are an ancient custom of our people. One even older then I" She explained. "There are designed to assess Zim's strengths and weaknesses and once he completes them all his performance will tell us if he is truly worthy of our blessing." Miz went on. "If he is he will receive our blessing, a mark of the Ancients will be placed like crown upon his head. This mark will show all of Irk that he has the right to challenge The Tallest; and only upon receiving it will he truly be: Taller Zim."
Rachel nodded her understanding. "So Zim has to leave us?" She asked in disbelief.
"Zim has given you everything you need to continue your revolution without him." Miz told her. "Whether he chooses to return to you and finish the war by your side is up to him."
"I…understand." Rachel said, her confidence feels shaken and for good reason. She had never thought that they'd one day have to continue to fight for Earth's freedom without Zim.
After all, it was Zim and Dib who made them believe they could fight in the first place.
"Stand fast child." Miz told her. "I have faith in your race, for it your race that has given us the strength and hope that we all have to fight this war."
Rachel felt pride knowing that she was one of the few that gave them such courage.
"Speaking of." Miz looked around thoughtfully. "I wish to speak to the one Called Dib."
Her knowledge of Dib surprised Rachel. "You heard of Dib?" She asked.
"Who hasn't?" Miz said looking boastful. "He's all over Zim's file; Zim calls him a force to recon with, his greatest advisory. I doubt such talents wouldn't be among your ranks."
"He is." Rachel assured him. "He is one of the five leaders, along with Zim."
Her words surprise Miz. "Zim is one of your leaders?" She seems stunned.
"We are one force." Rachel explained proudly. "We do not waste time separating our Irken allies from ourselves. We are all members of the same team; The Renegades do not just fight for mankind. We fight for everyone who has ever been a victim of Irk, and that include other Irkens."
Miz smiles, as she seems to look a Rachel with a new since of respect. "I can see now why Zim has changed for the better." She said. "You humans are much like we once were."
"Irk was like us?" Rachel asked stunned.
"At a time yes." Miz admitted. "I would very much like to speak with Dib, I would like meet the human being that started it all. He is a great part of why this is all possible."
Rachel nodded. "I know what you mean." She said. "I will let him know. Maybe, you could even have him talk to Zim for you." Rachel went on. "Zim respect his opinion greatly, probably more than any of us."
"It's true." Goalit agreed. "I have never seen a stronger form of brotherhood."
Miz nodded. "Than my need to talk to him is even more urgent. Zim cannot stall much longer."
"Why not?" Rachel asked.
"Zim has been a fully realized Amon for quiet sometime." Goalit explained. "And tradition states he must be tested by the Ancients soon after the finally transformation."
"If we truly wish to go back to our roots than we must follow our old traditions to the letter." Miz stated. "I'm sorry but if Zim stalls much longer than we will be unable to give him our blessing regardless if he is worthy or not."
"I understand." Rachel said. "Traditions are placed for a reason."
Miz nodded her agreement. "Then make haste." She ordered. "And may peace be with you."
"And to you." Rachel answered.
Miz nodded and the transmission ended, seconds later however a piece of paper printed itself out of the Super computer.
Mia picked it up with shaking hands.
"What is it?" Rachel asked.
"It's the Ancients" Mia said softly. "They just sent us their precise coordinates." She exclaimed.
"They've officially reached out to him." Goalit gasped with excitement.
"And if Zim refuses?" Rachel asked fearfully.
"Then the tide of this war will turn against us and…" Goalit stooped, but he didn't need to finish. For Rachel knew what that would mean.
It meant that they'd lose, Earth... No the universe would be stuck. Doomed under the thumb of the Irken Machine;
FOREVER!
Episode 7-Minion (Part 1) END!