(Back with Tak…)

[The next Day…]

The injuries from her swim would leave her out of commission for several days, and the constant running from that stupid robot was only making her condition worse.

Still she had no time to rest, she needed to find a way to beat this water situation. The down pour had only worsen with every passing day, and it was really limiting her ability to escape. Thankfully, the Megadoomer could also get damaged due to too much rain exposure. This caused the machine to wait until there was a break in the storm to continue its hunt. There hadn't been many of those, but she already had to run twice now because it got too close.

She was currently hiding out in a shack at a local landfill, studying several different items. She did have a base she could run to. She had been contracting it ever since she left London, but she feared that leading the Megadoomer there would eliminate all her hard work, and the base was almost complete. So, this shack would have to do until the Megadoomer was eliminated.

Of course, she could not even begin to tackle that problem until she solved her water problem. Which led her to the task at hand. Several items laid before her, a broken umbrella, a rain jacket, some pencils, and a tube of something called glue.

Thanks to her observation of the humans she knew what the umbrella was for, but it was little good when there was wind spraying the water on her legs and feet. Plus, it forced her to hold it with her hands, leaving her defenseless. The rain jacket could help, but it was worn and used; so the water would eventually seep through. She has thought to use the pencils and glue to fix the umbrella. The canopy of the device was fine, leaving nothing but a bent handle. Still she didn't like the fact that she would not be able to use her hands.

There was a trash pile beside her as well, she had been picking through it for supplies. She groans in frustration. "What do I do Mimi?" She asked her Sir unit. "Nothing here is working."

"Meow." Mimi gestured to the paste, as if to say. "You haven't tried this yet."

Tak examined the paste, her eyes skimming the ingredients. An idea was forming in her head. Apparently many of the ingredients were water resistant, or water repellant. She looked at the paste on a cellular level with the aid of her Pak. Separating one molecule of it, she tested to see what would happen if water hit it. To her surprise, the glue stood strong against the on slot of water.

What if she covered herself with the paste? Would it protect her?

It was crazy to even consider the idea, but she had to try.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures Mimi." Tak reasoned as she grabbed some worn goggles from the trash pile before covering herself in the paste. "Mimi…"

Mimi assisted Tak in walking to the door where they stepped out into the rain, she was still too wounded to walk completely on her own. She was both amazed and relieved to find the glue holding up. She stood out there for several minutes, wanting to know how often she would have to apply the miracle substance.

An hour turned into two before she finally felt the familiar sting. She wanted to reapply right then and take on the enemy. Knowing them they would be expecting her to be out of commission until the rain stopped. She would have the element of surprise.

"Meow." Mimi interrupted her thoughts.

"You are right Mimi." She agreed as she led her back inside. "I must rest." And she would, for now, but soon she would heal, and the rain would stop.

And then she would have her revenge!

(Back with Dib…)

[Five Days Later]

He felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest!

Dib grimaced as he grew even closer to his destination.

For the past several days, he had made himself busy with designing water-based weapons. Miz stayed true to his word, abandoning Dib to help Gaz and Peg prepare defenses for the base. Dib couldn't say he blamed him. He had hurt Miz badly and betrayed his trust. Of course, he would need some space. But to leave like that, after just promising to stand by him, it cut him deep.

Still Dib could not focus on that now, he pushed it aside, working on his weapons.

He had heard from his mom that Gaz had reported their findings to Dark Booty who upped the security.

Dib was glad the base would be well guarded, but he still couldn't shake the fact that they would need Zim's help.

"You don't think I'm crazy do you?" He asked his mother.

"Sweetie Zim is very dangerous." Annabel told him. "It scares me you've been this close to him without me knowing."

"He's different mom." Dib said, still working on his weapons. "I know I can reach him."

Annabel sighed, she knew her son, like her; would go regardless of her feelings. It was in his blood, to throw all caution to the wind and just do what he felt was right. "Just be careful…please…"

Dib had promised to do just that, and yet this felt anything but safe. He was back at the corn mill looking for Zim. He knew it was stupid to come here, he also knew it was stupid that he didn't report finding Zim back here weeks before.

But he knew he was right about this, at least he had been smart enough not to go alone this time.

"Careful, he's really good at staying undetected." Dib reasoned.

Lar Nard was quite aware of Zim's skills in stealth as well as his access to cloaking technology. However, he was beginning to think Zim was not among them. The Vort had agreed to accompany the boy mostly due to Anne's pleas to keep an eye on him. Professor Membrane was close by to come to the rescue if needed.

"You have to be alert." He remember Gaz telling him. "Dib acts irrationally and without thinking, it's an impulse he just can't help."

Lar Nar smiled; it reminded him of a certain Irken he once knew.

"I guess he is not here." Dib said, looking disappointed. He caught the Vort's knowing look. "You think this is a bad idea too don't you?" He asked.

"Well…" Lar Nar began.

"I thought out of anyone you would get it." Dib yelled. "Zim was your student, your friend."

Lar Nar nodded. "I would like to think he is the same." He admitted. "But that was a long time ago, the things he's done…it can harden one's heart."

"I know it's crazy." Dib said. "I should hate him, but…even when he does things like try to destroy my mind or sell Earth's secrets to the enemy. There is also times when he…"

"Stands by your side. Defends you even?" Lar Nard asked.

Dib nodded.

"Even though Zim betrayed me, he didn't kill me." Lard Nar revealed. "I hate to fill your hopes with doubt, but Zim is known for hopping the fence."

"I have to try." Dib said. "I know it's crazy, but the way he looked at me in the woods, like he didn't want to kill me. Like he wanted no part of this. It made me rethink everything I thought I knew. Before Zim I always thought an Alien would just be evil you know."

Lar Nar nodded. "Besides popular human beliefs not every race out there is bent on universal destruction."

"I know that we all do." Dib said as they made their leave. "What I don't get is why does everyone feel that Irkens cannot be the same way? Like one Irken is like every other, they have the potential to be their own person. When you really think about it, they are just as much of a victim as the rest of us."

"It doesn't change what he's done." Lar Nard said the obvious.

Dib knew he was right. "But helping us stop Tak, it could be a start." Dib was grabbing at straws now.

Lar Nard smiled. "I would like that." He admitted. He decided to change the subject. "Have you spoke to Miz?"

The answer was an obvious no. Dib wanted to give him time, but the loneliness was starting to hit him in waves. He never realized how much he really craved Miz's company until it was gone. He hadn't even come to school since the breakup.

"There is one more place we can check." Dib said, deciding to avoid the question all together. He didn't want to sound cold, but the rain was due to end tomorrow.

"Where?" Lar Nard dared to ask.

"The woods just outside the Crazy Taco." Dib revealed. It was where he had followed the Sir Unit after he went crazy over Tacos. "He was mining for resources there." Dib revealed.

Lar Nard nodded. He knew the boy's father would be close behind just in case they needed back up, but still. He wasn't sure how Zim's state of mind would be. He had locked himself away somewhere away from Dib. The one thing that made him humane. Would that isolation refocus his resolve for the mission?

He knew it just might, which could put them all in danger. Still, Dib was determined to do this with, or without them. So, they continued with their search for Zim.

(Back with Zim…)

He knew it was a danger to be here…

Sure, he was adapted to the rain, but to be in a location that he had already been sighted was not very wise. Still, the ground here was rich in minerals, and Zim was due another shipment soon. However, he knew Dib planned to confront him about Tak, and he also knew the boy might look for him here. Just, the thought of seeing Dib again made him feel sick. He had hope the time apart would help him regain his resolve, but all the separation did was make him feel weak.

'Perhaps I could help, Tak is proving to be too much for me to handle alone.' He admitted to himself.

Sure, there was the Megadoomer to worry about, but if the Machine saw him with the humans it would reason that Zim was using them as pawns. So, it wouldn't attack them, but that didn't mean it would look out for them if they got in the way. It would bulldozer right through them. Still, it was obvious that Tak was an ever growing problem, and getting rid of her would prove to the Tallest that he had everything under control.

"Zim?" Dib's voice called out.

Zim turned on his cloaking instantly, but he really couldn't do much for the Voot which was currently drilling.

"Zim I know you're out here." Dib stated the obvious.

"Go away, human I have no interest in you." Zim growled still cloaked. "I have bigger fish to fry."

Dib looked around inquisitively, trying to pinpoint where Zim was. "That's why I am here, look we know you sent that robot after Tak." He reasoned. "Things are getting out of hand."

Zim spots Lar Nard and suddenly wonders who else is here, he reaches out with his superior senses and also detects the boy's father hiding several trees back.

"Look Zim, we can stop her together, I know we can." Dib insisted.

Zim knows he just said the same thing to himself seconds ago, but still…he is reluctant to act. Going back to Dib now, what was the point, everyone knew who he really was, everyone but Dib! He should tell him now, rip the boy's heart out and get it over with. With that thought fresh on his mind Zim decides to reveal himself. "You really don't get it do you?" He asked him.

Dib looks at him confused.

"We are enemies!" Zim yelled as if it was obvious.

"Are we?" Lar Nard dared to ask.

"Don't you dare start with me!" Zim growled.

"You've made quite a mess of everything." Lar Nard pointed out the obvious. "What lie will you tell your leaders this time?"

"Whatever lie is needed." Zim screamed.

"To what? Insure your self-preservation?" Lar Nard was not lightening up. "Please Zim, this is your chance…"

"To what?" Zim scoffed. "Do the right thing?" He forced a laugh. "How did me doing the right thing work out for your comrades?"

Lar Nard visibly winced at his words.

"Stop this!" Dib yelled. "This isn't you." He sounded desperate now.

"Don't act as if you know me child!" Zim hissed. "You know nothing, you are just a stupid brat! You think you are so gifted, but you can't even tell it when the enemy is right in front of you!"

Ok now Dib was confused. Was he saying Lar Nard was the real enemy? He couldn't be talking about Tak because he was well aware of her.

"You are such a…" Zim screamed as if reading his mind. "What is Zim spelled backwards?"

Dib paused, again confused what did that have to do with anything.

"Zim!" Lard Nar warned.

"Say it!" Zim yelled, ignoring the Vort. "Say my name backwards."

M...I…Z." Dib spelled the letters out. "Mi…" He paused as he started to say it, before realizing the truth.

It was if the rain had stopped on que, even the sound of the drill ceased to reach his ears. All of the sudden all the colors of the world had drained around him as the truth hit him hard.

Zim was Miz, and Miz was Zim. They were one in the same.

And just like that, it all made sense.

Why he felt something for both of them, why they were so similar at times. And as much as he hated it, Zim was right. The truth had been in front of him the whole time and he never saw it.

"Zim!" Lar Nard shouted crossly, revealing in an instant that he knew all along.

Who else knew? Did everyone know? Was Dib the last one to find out?

Suddenly the threat of Tak seemed much smaller. Right now the only thing Dib wanted was to run, run and hide in the darkest hole possible. He's running before he can stop himself, through the woods and back to the street, running as fast as his feet could carry him.

"You could have been more sensitive." Lar Nard lectured harshly.

Zim supposed he could have been, and perhaps should have, but at the moment he had more pressing matters to attend to. "Gir!"

"Yes, my Lord." Gir appeared.

"Watch the drill." Zim ordered, drawing his weapon. "I'm going Irken hunting."

Understandment filled Lar Nard. "You were harsh, so he'd stay out of the way."

"This fight is not for Children." Zim said confirming his words.

"Would you care for assistance?" Lar Nard asked.

"Do what you like, just stay out of my way." Zim hissed.

Despite the Irken's coldness Lar Nard found a smile slipping on his face, perhaps in his own way Zim was good. Yes, he certainly had it in him, but was there enough left?

For the sake of mankind, and the universe…he sure hoped so.

-To Be Continued