Chapter Notes

Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim

Author's Note's: Chapter 4 here we go, please read and review.

(Present Day)

Dawn,

It came without prejudice.

Luckily Professor Membrane managed to convince his fellow town's people to leave, only leaving a small handful of scientist behind, ones he knew he could trust with the fact that aliens were indeed real, and a few of them were even on their side.

Dib looked at the street around him in amazement. "It's a ghost town." He said out loud.

"Yep." Zim agreed halfheartedly. He was looking much better now, however it was still evident that the Ex-invader was very tiered.

"I guess this is it hu?" Dib asked, still trying to strike up a conversation. The team had decided to take 8 hour shifts of perimeter control, and Dib had spent most if not all of their shift trying to get Zim to say something more than a few words. However, it would appear his Irken mate had a lot on his mind.

And he did.

If fact Zim had so much on his mind that he was sure his brain would explode at any moment. "The ships will come first." He finally said.

Yes, the Armada would begin their assault in space. Luckily the planet wasn't entirely defenseless. Back in 2012 there was a great end of the world scare where an asteroid as big as Texas nearly hit the plant. Such a collision would have been catastrophic for Earth's inhabitance so naturally Professor Membrane had a plan. He equipped the Earth's Satellites with a Lazar base targeting system. Allowing the controller to fire and dispatch on coming threats hurtling towards the Earth.

At the moment Gaz was at the controls waiting for her targeting systems to pick up a reading of an enemy ship. TAk who hadn't left her side since her rescue had decided to go with Skoodge just outside of Earth's atmosphere. The two had been equipped with two space cruisers, the ships were prototypes to say the least, but since using her own ship was such a risk TAk made what modifications she could and with Skoodge's help she got them to fly.

They even had weapons and shields, however as long as Gaz's aim was spot on the two of them shouldn't have to worry about getting hit too much. Of course, their plan was to hold the enemy off long enough off the Resisty to show up with reinforcements.

That was if they show up.

"They can't be allowed to touch down on Earth's soil." Zim finally spoke up. "If they do we'll never fight them off."

Dib knew he was right, this war had to stay up in space, for all their sake, but the enemy had them out gun…for now. "Dad how are the other prototypes looking?" Dib asked his father over his Comm link.

Professor Membrane had been working on two more space cruisers, there had been four in total, but only two of them were close to being done at the time. Dib's father had several other scientist adding Tak's improvements on the other remaining two.

Surprisingly many of the scientist Professor Membrane had chosen to stay behind with them took the news of aliens rather well. In fact some even admitted that they secretly believed aliens might exist, they just didn't want the rest of the scientist laughing at them.

Dib honestly couldn't blame them.

"The two ships are almost done." Professor Membrane. "But…" He began, but Dib cut him off.

"Dad we talked about this." Dib said. "I have to go."

Why can't you choose a safer battle station?" Professor Membrane asked hopefully. "Like your sister?"

"I only chose this cause it's like a video game!" Gaz could be heard shouting in the background.

"Dad." Dib whined and naturally so, He wasn't a kid, heck he was graduating soon!

"I'm sorry." Professor Membrane sighed. "It's just…I just got you back."

"I know Dad, but I have to do this." Dib said. "He…he needs me." He whispered softer, not wanting Zim to feel weak for needing him. He knew Zim didn't see him as weak, but Irkens saw all races as less than them and to need his less dominate mate to back him up in a fight would make the rest of them see him that way.

"He's just going to get me close." Zim interrupted, "Once I boarded the Massive I'll take down my father, and anyone else who gets in my way."

Dib looked at his mate with eyes full of aw. He sounded so sure of himself, and yet Dib could feel Zim's fear and uncertainty. Just as he was sure Zim could feel his, that's what being mates was all about, they felt each other's every thought, and emotion.

And this reality made one thing very clear to both of them.

They had no idea what they were getting into, not even the slightest. Then again it wouldn't be the first time Zim had plunged head first into the great unknown. If fact Earth and his mission here had been one great big unknown. One that was only getting bigger with every passing second.

"You really expect me to let you do this alone." Dib asked.

"You have to." Zim said the obvious. "This is my fight, only I can end this."

Yes, only by killing his father could Zim claim the throne it was after all the Irken way, and Dib couldn't help him.

No one could.

This was his battle, he had to finish this.

And he would.

"I think that should do it." Professor Membrane as he finished installing the last part of the ship, the deflector shields would sustain most of the damage they managed to receive in battle, however it would not protect them from all of it. "We're ready for you two now." He informed, his voice sounding heavy.

Dib nodded, suddenly too choked up for his voice to be usefully, he knew deep down his father was scared, and if Dib was being honest deep down he was scared too, but he would not back down. It had taken all night to convince Zim to let him be his escort to the Massive, and now that he had his mate's approval he wasn't backing down for anything.

His approval? Ha! As if Zim would ever approve to this! The Dib had demanded he'd let him go with him and didn't take no for an answer. The argument had been a long and heated one, but in the end it had come to a stale mate. Zim didn't want him to go, however her couldn't stop him from going; even if he wanted to.

And he really, really wanted to.

The two mates shared one final look before heading back towards the launch hanger.

The launch hanger had been another half-finished project that was rushed into completion, and Zim had to admit the humans were mighty motivated when they had to be. Yes, there was definitely more to them than met the eye. He had learned that from all his time here.

'I wish I could stay, and learn more.' Zim admitted to himself. However, he knew that wasn't possible. He had to take command of his father's empire and pull the Irken race away from the planets that they had oppressed for so long. It would be a long and grueling task, and many nobles of the other Nobel blood lines would no doubt send hired assassins his way in hopes of killing him and taking the throne for themselves. Only to start this madness all over again.

No Zim could not allow that to happen, and having Dib by his side would only make things more complicated. Besides he hardly believed his people were ready for what he and Dib were, and rightfully so. The Irken race hadn't chosen life mates in eons, to suddenly throw it back on them wasn't fair.

And yet the only other option was to leave Dib here.

Was that fair?

Was that even wise?

What if the enemy came here while Zim was gone in space somewhere reshaping Irk's image? He wouldn't be able to protect his mate, Dib could be hurt or worse…killed.

Which meant either way Dib would be in danger, and this fact alone was why Zim didn't stop Dib as he followed him into the launching hanger. Nor did he stop him as Dib place on his space suit, and climbed into his space cruiser. The ship itself looked a lot like a fighter jet, only this one had the power to blast him off to space.

And right into the enemies' line of fire, and still Zim didn't stop him.

Dib's father however gave him a pleading look as he strapped himself into his seat, a scientist to his other side, Professor Flint was giving him a quick rundown of the controls. Zim was also getting the run down by another Scientist; Professor Cheerily as he two dawned his space suit and strapped in.

Gir, his ever loyal Sir Unit strapped in in the seat behind him. Some would question Zim's sanity for bringing the deranged bot along, however it was more of a sentimental thing for Zim. The two had started this crazy ride together after all, it was only fitting that they finish it in the same way.

"Son please," Professor Membrane insisted.

"Dad relax this isn't my first space battle. " He assured him.

However, his words did little to calm any of their fears.

"It's okay I've got his back." Gaz assured there father, she was sitting at some controls off to the right of them, just with in sight.

Still Professor Membrane was reluctant to let him go.

Dib didn't give him a choice in the matter. "I'll be fine." He promised and closed the cockpit hatch.

Professor Flint, a tall slaking man with red hair forced him back behind the stand clear line so that they could take off.

There was just one last thing to do now.

"I love you Zim." Dib said over the Comm Link, and despite all the trouble they were in Zim smiled.

"I love you too Earth Smell." He said trying to lighten the mood.

Dib forces a laugh. "Been a while since you called me that Space boy." And it was true, the insults had dwindled to a chosen few since they had started down this crazy journey called love.

"I swear if you die I'm raising you from the dead just to kill you myself." Zim added on a more serious note.

Dib smiled openly now. "There's my green space lizard." He teased.

"You know that name doesn't even adequately describe me." Zim pointed out.

"I was ten okay." Dib countered as they began their start up sequence. "You were green deceitful like a snake, but you had legs so I called you a lizard."

"You would have been more accurate in calling me a bug or an insect." Zim teased, smiling openly as well.

"I swear you two chose the worse time to argue." Gaz said over the Comm link.

"Master are we going to make waffles?" Gir asked hopefully.

"Yes Gir." Zim answered. "Just as soon as we kick the waffle haters back to their own galaxy." He answered. No doubt the "Waffle hatters" were the Amada and Zim's father.

"Can Mary come?" Gir asked hopefully. "I want Mary to come eat waffles with us."

"Sure Gir." Zim answered, though he was still unsure of what the end of this fight would mean for them.

"I'm going to hold you to that." Dib warned.

Zim smiled. "Of course you are."

"Yay I'm making chocolate chip." Gir declared.

Dib found himself licking his lips, he could taste those waffles now.

"Take off sequence complete." Professor Flint voice cut into his thoughts. "Boys you are cleared for take-off."

Silence came over the Comm link.

"Zim…" Dib began.

"Just get me close." He reminded him before taking off.

Dib screamed inwardly as he took off after him, one thought echoed in his mind as they climbed higher and higher into the Earth's Atmosphere.

He wasn't leaving Zim alone.

Sure he understood that this was his fight, but he also didn't expect his father to play fair, heck he hadn't so far so why start now.

His mate would need him there for back up, and he was going, whether Zim liked it or not!

[Location: Just outside Earth's atmosphere]

She knew he had nothing to do with the current disaster she had found herself in, and yet Gaz couldn't help but blame Dib.

Dib who was probably going crazy wondering where she might be. Sure he was obsessively working on that ship, but surely he would notice her absence eventually.

He would certainly notice it a lot sooner than dad.

It was in this moment thumbling around the ship as she tried to help Tak form some kind of plan that she wondered why she didn't just Tell Tak that Dib had her ship, and that with a little bit of repairs she could have been on her merry way.

Was it because doing so would have been far too easy of a mission? She could imagine her brother just telling her what a lousy job she did by giving away the only advantage they had over the Irken Empire. Yes, that was it Tak's ship gave them an advantage, they now have Irken technology that they can use just in case there comes a day that Zim stops being stupid. Or worse the Armada actually comes as Zim had always threaten it would.

After all the more they knew the better right?

She sure hoped so because keeping this small information from Tak had landed them into a lot of trouble.

"Alright I have a plan that might work." Tak said grabbing her attention. She was messing with a device on her wrist.

Gaz watched as she turned a dial on the device causing her disguise to change, where the Irken Tak once was now stood a very large green alien female with four tusk pultruding from her spider trap like mouth. She wear a lining cloth and a matching top, her black hair was also done in dreads. "Is that what they look like?" She asked.

Tak nodded, and spoke; her voice gargled "I'll pretend to be one of them, and you'll be my servant." She explained. "It's not uncommon for them to keep lower life forms as slaves. I'll explain that I possessed this ship from those idiots and hopefully they buy it and we can leave."

"And if they don't?" Gaz asked fearfully, which surprised her to say the least. After all she was Gaz the most feared 10 year old in town, bullies twice her size ran in terror when she came walking their way down the street.

If those bullies could see her now, they would surely laugh.

"We've got this." Tak said, for some reason she felt the need to reassure her. It was a strange feeling she had never felt before. Irkens do not reassure others, let alone a lower life form.

What was this human female doing to her?

Tak pushed the thought away, now was not the time to think about that, now was the time to put her amateur invader skills to the test.

And as if to prove her point to be true the ships haul door was forced open and serval Mancars stepped on the bridge.

Gaz, remembering what Tak had told her got on her knees and her face, as a slave it was disrespectful for unworthy eyes to look upon a Mancar that was not her master.

Tak however, sized up the potential enemies knowingly. There were three in all, they were all males and twice her size, naturally. And all three of them shared similar features as her disguise.

The biggest of the males, a well-dressed warrior in silk, no doubt the clan leader, spoke in the Mancar tongue.

To Gaz it sounded nothing like a gargled mess, Tak however knew enough Mancar to get by.

'Name Leach leader of blood tribe.' He said. 'What tribe…you from?'

Tribe?

Tak new no tribes, however she had heard it was not uncommon for Mancars to be loners so she answered in the Mancar tongue. 'Lone wolf I Is. Just I and runt.' She gestured to Gaz only slightly. 'Came across this stolen vessel, took back from those who'd dare steal from the pride.'

The pride was the embodiment of all Mancar pride as a whole, and her struggles to communicate with them is not uncommon, Several Mancar have trouble communicating with members of other tribes, and with loners who rarely speak to another Mancar it was even harder.

Which means her act is actually quite believable.

It's true the tribe leader, Leach was none the wiser. 'Great service to my tribe you have done.'

Tak remembers to bow her head as the tribal leader gives her praise, as to not appear to think she is better than he. 'Praise not needed.' She assured him. 'Ship I need, must continue, more trophies to win.'

Yes, that sounded like the right thing to say, after all she had took the time to chase the ship down, and dealt with its thieves it was only fitting that the ship would be her reward. However, she kept her head bowed to show that she asking, and not simply stating she was entitled to take what she wanted.

'Ship…may have.' Leach assured her. He then turned to the other males who Tak could only assume were his sons, since a tribal leader was rarely seen without his youths. 'We leave.' He told them.

The smaller son obeyed without question, however the larger seemed hesitate almost reluctant to leave. As if he sensed something that was not quite right.

'Mook Come!' His father insisted, and reluctantly the eldest, Mook followed.

Gaz breathed a sigh of relief as the three Mancars left the bridge and headed back from which they came.

Tak however did not allow herself to relax until the motherships doors opened back out to them and she imminently started up the ship and prepared to go into hyper drive as soon as they were far enough away.

"What are you doing?" Gaz asked.

"The son was suspicious." Tak said. "I have to take off towards a known hunting ground, to make this look good." She explained. "Don't worry I'll loop back around in a couple of days."

Gaz looked out the Bridge windows, and down at the Earth in disbelief. Now she was leaving solar system all together? How far was she willing to take this? She sighed.

"What's the matter Runt?" Tal teased playfully. "I thought you hated that rock as much as I do."

She did, and yet a part of her imagined it in ruin once she returned. After all, how many times had Gaz had to save her brother from the stupid stuff he gotten himself into? More times than she cared to admit.

"Gaz?" Tak asked.

"Dib has your ship." She finally admitted. After all there was no point in keeping it a secret now Tak just revealed that they had to leave now!

"It survived the crash?" Tak asked, more shocked than angry.

"Yep Dib's trying to put it back together." Gaz went on, waiting for the anger.

It never came.

"Well if he can manage than I say he can have it, it's junk anyways, I made it out of trash I found on Planet Dirt." She admitted. "This ship is much better." She gave Gaz a wide smile as she shifted back into her Irken form. "Besides it will help him when Zim finally becomes more of a nuances to him."

This statement through Gaz at a curb. "But you're on the same side." Gaz said. "Won't you're leaders be angry that you gave away their tech?"

"Zim isn't an invader." Tak told her.

Gaz was floored. "What!"

"He was banished by the Tallest." Tak explained. "They gave him a fake mission to an unnamed planet in the middle of space and a broken Sir unit. He was supposed to wonder space aimlessly, not fond his own planet to rule."

"So the Tallest want nothing to do with Earth?" Gaz was stunned.

Tak nodded. "That's why I was going to hollow it out and turn it into a large snack bowl." She said. "At least than they would want it."

"Does Zim know?" Gaz asked.

"Perhaps." Tak said. "Either that or he's more stupid than I thought."

"Does it matter?" Gaz asked.

"No, it doesn't change things." Tak said, looking sorrow filled for a moment. "Once you cast out of the collective there is no going back."

Gaz suddenly feels sorry for her, and before she knows it the words are flying out of her mouth. "Tak what if when we come back in a couple of days you stayed with me."

"What?" Tak asked, she wasn't sure she heard her right.

"Why go back?" Gaz said. "You failed they'll probably do worse to you."

It was true, the Tallest did not take failure well, and Zim was living proof of that. And at least the Irken Invader had screwed up on a mission he was given. Zim was supposed to be involved in Operation Impending Doom 1.

Tak however, had no role in Operation Impending Doom 2. She had no right to be here, and surely the Tallest would make their wrath known the moment she stepped foot back on Dirt.

And yet.

"I can't." She said. "They'll do a lot worse if I don't show up." She explained. "Besides it's not ideal." She reasoned. "What am I supposed to do? Pretend to be human for the rest of my days? Live with you? Until what you out grow me? Grow old and gray and die?" She shook her head. "It's better this way…" She stopped noticing the mood had grown dark without her meaning to. So, she decided to liven it back up. "But do keep the ship." She assured her. "Real mission or not even an idiot as dumb as Zim won't be green in the ways of Earth forever. My ship will give Dib an edge, if he can manage to fix it, and override the security fail safes."

"Please I'll probably have to fix it for him." Gaz scoffed doing her best to look in better spirits. She wasn't sure why she had grown attached, but she had.

And it was obvious Tak had too. 'Irk what has this female done to me?' Suddenly the ship ping a warning letting Tak know she was far enough away from the mothership allow her to enter hyper speed. She doesn't wait, but activates the hyper drive on instinct.

Towards the nearest star system.

"We'll be back before you know it." Tak assured Gaz as they settled down on the bridge.

"Can't wait." Gaz said sarcastically, even though deep down she meant it. 'Soon.' She promised herself.

Not knowing just how long the next few days would feel

-To Be Continued