Episode 15- The Last Stand

Episode Summary– Zim and The Renegades have their skills put to the ultimate test as they face off against their greatest challenge yet: Tallest Red!

Disclaimers: I Do Not Own Invader Zim

Author's Notes: Okay guys this is the Final episode of Invader Zim Renegades! Yep you heard that Right! This is the END! I would like to thank all of the readers who have stuck by this series for the last six years. Thank you for all the original ideas that helped this story come to life and your endless dedication.

With all that said Thanks for reading and Please enjoy.

Yours Truly, RoxieDivine :)

Episode 15- The Last Stand (Part 1)

(Back with Zim…)

As he had promised their departure for Earth was in full swing…

Zim hadn't even finished his call with Jamie and the refugees were already assembling. Their Amon leaders and chosen fleet commanders took charge and suddenly the Asteroid was alive with movement.

Scamooch watched them move around him in awe, it was like watching an ant hill come alive. Thousands of warriors moving as one force towards a common goal.

"It is quite a sight isn't it young one?" Razor said as he joined him.

"I didn't know so many different races could move towards a common goal like this." Scamooch admitted.

"That is because you were taught to believe that they were too stupid to know how." Razor pointed out.

Scamooch's eyes suddenly soften. "What if it's not enough?" He asked. "What if we lose? Forced to retreat back to this rock." His fear is evident on his face.

"Have you no faith in him?" Razor asked. Of course, he understood why the young cadet would doubt Razor himself. He was old, they didn't call him an ancient for nothing. Zim, however was in his prime, he should be more than a match for a rogue as unstable as Red.

"Of course, I do." Scamooch snapped, he softens instantly no doubt he realizes he should mind his tone with an elder.

Razor overlooks the disrespect, instantly understanding it for what it is; Fear.

"I don't know how he does it." Scamooch admitted, watching Zim.

Zim is currently speaking with Miz, his expression oozes confidence. There is not a doubt in his mind that everything will go according to plan. And if so, it is certainly not written all over his face.

"How does he keep going no matter how many times he's failed? To keep fighting for us when we keep casting him out?" Scamooch can't conceive an answer, and the fact has begun to eat away at him.

It is obvious now to Razor, that the cadet is losing faith not in Zim, but in his fellow Irkens. He cannot fathom why Zim could feel loyalty when even their own ancestors had given up on them.

"Because he has something more powerful than any weapon." Razor told him. "Something that has kept him going for all these years."

"What?" Scamooch asked.

"Hope." Razor told him. "Hope that things will get better."

Scamooch realized his words were true in an instant. When Zim failed as an Invader he hoped for a chance to prove himself. When he was ultimately banished, he hoped for the day he would once again be welcomed in the presence of his fellow soldiers. When The Tallest finally came to Earth; he hoped for their recognition. When they sentenced him to death and raged war with mankind; he hoped for a resolution that would allow the survival of both sides.

Zim with all his flaws and miss guidance was a beacon of hope.

"If anyone understands what you are felling right now." Razor spoke softly. "It is him."

"I know." Scamooch whispered. "I just don't want to be a bother…" He sighed. "A taller has more to worry about then some cadet getting cold feet."

"You are more to him then some cadet, surely you know that." Razor mused. "When he looks at you, he sees himself."

Scamooch laughed. "I am nothing like him, he is never unsure."

Now it was Razor's turn to laugh. "Trust me everyone has their insecurities. Zim is simply a master at hiding them."

Scamooch wished he could be so sure.

"Tell him." Razor encouraged him. "You will feel better once you do."

"I shouldn't distract him now." Scamooch reasoned. "The both of you need to focus on the challenges that are ahead."

Razor smiled; the child was quiet wise for his age; no doubt his time with Zim had influenced such positive behavior. "Afterwards then." It was not a question, but a statement.

"Yeah." Scamooch said, sounding less sure. "After…"

Razor decided to leave it there for now. Pushing the child would only make him feel less sure then he already was. "I bet he would like you to join us." He insisted.

"Join you?" Scamooch looks uncertain.

"Of course, He brought you here because he wanted you to be here; by his side." Razor reasoned. "After all we will need a legacy."

"But I'm not a real Amon." Scamooch reasoned.

"He has not told you?" Razor looks confused.

"Told me what?" Scamooch asked.

Razor shook his head, it was possible that not even Zim himself knew what, no who Scamooch really was to him. "You have Amon blood in you." Razor revealed.

Scamooch shook his head. He knew he did, it was why Kazar had chosen him as his legacy. One of the Irken's used to clone Scamooch was indeed an Amon. However, his other "Parent" was a Shew, this of course was an uncommon practice. Usually, the two would not be mixed under any circumstances, but with only Koi and Zim being the last successful Amon smeet in over a century, the Tallest had been desperate… so of course they did the only thing they could.

They used a successful Amon's DNA to help in cloning Scamooch. Which meant his "Father" unit was most likely either one of the Tallest themselves, Zim or Koi. Though he knew it was most likely the latter, since the Tallest were obviously rogue the brains would not have replicated their DNA. And though it was possible Scamooch doubted the Tallest would use the DNA of the person they hated the most to help make their potential successor; so Zim was most likely out.

So that left Koi, yes Scamooch was sure that he was the one he owed his Amon heritage to. Of course, he would never know for sure. No Irken knew who their parents were, such attachments created weakness and bonds that could be far stronger than a soldier's loyalty to the Tallest. Yes, Scamooch was lucky to know what little he did about his own bloodline. He owed such knowledge to Kazar, as displeased as he appeared to have him as a pupil at first the general had seemed to warm up to the idea. Perhaps he thought that a half of an Amon was better than no Amon at all.

Not that it matter, even with said heritage he was still small, he was still a mix breed; he was still a Shew. And to make matters worse Scamooch had yet to show any sign of dominance.

And yet he was chosen, not because he was dominate, but because he was the only option available.

"I am a Shew." Scamooch said. "And I am proud."

Razor nodded. "Regardless as far as blood is concern you are the only…" he didn't finished, realizing how his words might sound out loud.

Scamooch took no offense. "For now." He admitted. "But Smoots is still young, she may just be late, like Taller Zim." He reasoned. "Besides two of you can always make one."

"You cannot just make an Amon." Razor lectured. "That's what got us into this mess." He shook his head. "Perhaps dominate Amons should end with Zim." He reasoned. "Perhaps then the blood lust will never return to our race."

Scamooch nodded, perhaps his second Taller had a point. Maybe the time of Purebred Amons should come to an end. After all Razor was more like Kazar then Zim, and the other's chose him to be his equal. "Maybe you're right." He admitted out loud. "I still don't see myself as a future Tallest though. A general, maybe, but…"

Razor nodded. "Such decisions are for a later time." He voiced. "For now, simply remaining by his side is the greatest support you can give him."

"Okay." Scamooch said, looking more confident now. "If that is what he needs of me."

Suddenly Zim looks there way, as if sensing his role in their conversation. He gestures to them to join him as he makes his way to his awaiting ship.

"Looks like our que." Razor said.

Scamooch nodded. "Then let's not keep him waiting." He takes off after Zim, not waiting to see if the Taller will follow.

Razor does, his stride as confident as ever, even as uncertainty and fear grow with every movement. However, said qualms cannot drown out the anticipation. For suddenly the aftermath of this war seemed closer than ever before and Razor could not wait to see Irk once again.

It was a dream every one of the Ancients held dear, and now after so long; they were finally so close.

"Soon." He promised himself. "Soon…"

"I still say I should be with you!" Gaz said as Zim joined her.

She had been waiting by Zim's ship, and looked determined to speak her mind.

Zim growled in quiet frustration. "We talked about this." He reasoned. "You need to be in your own ship to lead your fleet."

Gaz balls up his fist in annoyance before taking out her rage by punching the side of his ship. "I don't care about leading a fleet, I want to be there…" Her voice trails off. "To cheer you on, to support you…"

"He'll try using you against me all over again, I won't risk it." Zim raised his voice.

"You know I will win this argument." Gaz shouted. "I always win."

"Not this time love." Zim whispered and to his surprise Gaz actually looks defeated. He realizes immediately what's really going on. "I'll be fine…" He whispered, trying to be reassuring.

"You don't know that…" She reasoned. "If you…di..." She could bring herself to say the three letter word. "I want to be there…"

"Yee of little faith." Zim teased, trying to lighten the mood.

He is rewarded for his efforts with a swift kick in the shin.

Zim grimaced in pain, but otherwise stands firm. "I'll be fine." He assured her once more, wrapping his arms around her.

She joins in the embrace enjoying his warmth for what just might be the last time.

Razor clears his throat.

Zim pulls away. "Guess it's time." He said down to her. From where he was he could see the other commanders and fighters had boarded their ships.

Gaz gives him a kiss. "For luck." She said.

"I love you." Zim told her quietly, giving her one last squeeze.

"I love you too." She whispered back and then she pulls away, heading for her ship without a backwards glance.

Zim watches her every step, counting them as she walks away until finally she is out of sight.

"Ready my Taller?" Scamooch asked.

"We'll join you in a minute." Razor told him.

Scamooch looks to Zim.

Zim nods and the cadet moves to board the ship.

"You need to talk to him when this is over." Razor said, not waiting for the cadet to be out of sight.

"I know." Zim said, and it was true. He had sensed the change in the cadet since they had arrived. Seeing how the Amons treated others no doubt has shed some light on just how much the rest of their people had fallen from grace.

Zim knew the feeling.

"Not just that." Razor said as if reading his mind.

Zim gives him a confused look.

"You don't know do you?" Razor asked.

"Know what?" Zim asked.

"Who his donors are." Razor voiced openly.

Zim looks puzzled. "You mean his "parents"… " Zim asked.

Razor nodded, seeing the truth. "You do know."

"I've had my suspicions." Zim admitted. "It's kind of hard not to see the similarities." He sighed. "But now is not the time."

Razor knew he was right, but still… "There might not be a later." He voiced.

Zim turned, making his way to the ship. "He's' fine not knowing." He reasoned. "After all I never knew, and I turned out just fine."

Razor smiles at his partner, now tempted to tell him the truth about his own heritage, but thinks better of it. It was obvious Zim did not want to know, he didn't need the answer to help define who he was.

And neither did Scamooch.

With that realization fresh on his mind Razor boarded the ship with his partner. In seconds, the Ancients and their Allies were converging on their Target...

Planet Earth!

(Back with Kazar…)

The monster took it's time feeding, and as morbid as it sound Kazar wished he'd finish already.

The remaining Amons shifted slightly, no doubt their muscles were starting to ache from being stuck in their crouched positions for the past five hours.

Kazar however, had yet to move since he took his defensive crouch. In response, Tallest Red had yet to acknowledge his existence.

Reed thought this was a good thing, perhaps Red would simply lose interest and leave.

Kazar knew better than to have such hopes; he would be next on the kill list, for that he was sure. Suddenly as if the thought had been hear Tallest Red stood, a low growl filled his throat as his eyes fell on the remaining Amons. They were searching for their mark, surrounded by his peers he should feel safety, knowing that they were here to protect him. Yet, in the way they surrounded him now, all the deranged beast felt was like that of a caged animal.

"We are all going to die here aren't we?" Flog hissed fearfully.

"Doesn't matter." Kazar said, choosing now to stand, "All of you get behind me." He ordered.

They obeyed without question, better Kazar then them after all.

Kazar looked to Reed knowingly. "No matter what he mustn't reach the outside." He spoke gravely. "Promise me."

Reed could only manage a nod; he was far too stunned by the actions of the Irken before him. Kazar was many things, many brave things, but this…this was not bravery. No, only a fool would openly challenge a fully realized Amon.

It is in this moment that Reed understands, no this is bravery! No, it was more than that! This was what they should have done all along! As Amons they should have stood together and eliminated Purple before things got out of hand. If they had, perhaps Red could have been saved!

"What are you doing?" Kazar asked as Reed stepped out from behind him and too a defensive stance at his side.

"What I should have done all along." Reed answered.

"Correction." Ash said taking hid place by Reed. "What we all should have done."

The other Amons took their places side by side, facing the monster before them.

"Traitors…" Red managed in surprisingly well English.

"It's not too late." Kazar said. "If you can understand what's going on then there is still time to save you." He pleaded. "Please let us help you."

"And let him rule…take everything that is mine!" Red growled. "I think not…"

Sorrow washed over Kazar, but he pushed it aside. Red had made his bed, and now it was time for him to lie in it. "Very well." He growled, his own eyes glowing a pale orange. "So be it."

And with that the remaining Amons charged as one!

To Be Continued