Invader Tak (DATR)

Chapter 10

Dib and Tak walked to Bloaty's Pizza Hog, chatting along the way until they arrived.

"So, how many times have you been to this pizzeria?" Tak asked.

"Oh, I've been here every once in a while. Sometimes Gaz wants a slice, or usually the whole pie," Dib answered.

Tak nodded, and the conversation quieted. As they walked in silence, one thing was still weighing on her mind. She didn't want to lose a friend, or possibly a boyfriend. But she knew that the second Dib saw her as a true alien, it would feel like a stab to his heart.

"Why am I thinking like this?" she thought. "It's not like it's going to happen right away. He won't find out. For now, I need to focus on the present, not the past."

Dib noticed the unusual silence and couldn't help but ask, "Is everything okay? You seem like something's bothering you. Want to talk about it?"

Tak felt her heart race with anxiety, but she maintained her composure. "It's nothing, really," she said quickly, trying to brush off Dib's concern.

He looked at her for a moment, then shrugged it off. "All right, but if something is bothering you, you can always tell me. You know I wouldn't judge you."

They finally reached the pizzeria. It wasn't too crowded, so they headed inside. Dib paid for both of their slices, and they sat down. Tak took the first bite, savoring the taste.

"This is really great food. I can see why your sister loves it," she complimented.

Dib took a few bites before replying, "Yeah, the pizza here isn't bad."

After they finished eating, they threw away their paper plates and left the pizzeria.

"That was good pizza," Tak remarked. "Back in the UK, where I'm originally from, our pizzas aren't as greasy. They take health more seriously there than here in the U.S."

Dib nodded, slightly blushing. "You know, I never asked—did you have any friends back where you lived?"

Her smile faded, and she looked away with a sigh. Dib immediately regretted asking. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

Tak quickly reassured him by placing her hand on his shoulder, making him look directly into her eyes. "Don't be sorry, it's fine. I had to tell you eventually. I never made a single friend at my school. There was no one like me where I was from. Not once. They thought I was strange because I didn't talk to anyone. My parents decided that staying in the UK wasn't going to work for me, so they moved us to the U.S. So, to answer your question, no—I didn't have any friends there, and I probably never will."

Dib felt bad for asking but even worse hearing her story. "She had no friends where she used to live... That's really messed up," he thought. Finally, he asked, "I'm really sorry that happened to you, but how do you like it here so far? And who's your only friend right now?"

Tak smiled warmly. "It's you, Dib. You're like me—no friends, nobody to talk to. We were meant for each other. And I appreciate you feeling bad for me, but all that's in the past. I like it here now. It just feels right."

Back on the Massive...

"Where are you taking me? I am Zim! I demand to know!" Zim shouted, still being dragged by his feet by the guards. He glared at them angrily before turning his gaze ahead and gulping. The two large doors in front of him led to the Tallests.

He muttered under his breath, "The Almighty Tallests..."

The doors slid open, revealing the throne room. Below, navigators typed away on their computers, ensuring no threats were detected near the Massive.

"My Almighty Tallests, I have brought the defective," one of the guards said, kneeling as they continued to restrain Zim.

The Tallests slowly turned around. "Thank you, brave Irken guards. You may release the defective," Red commanded. The guards obeyed, letting go of Zim.

"Do you know why you're here, Zim?" Purple asked.

Zim shook his head in response.

"The reason you're here," Red began, "is because we've decided your fate. Instead of letting you rot in prison, we've decided you'll be banished to Foodcourtia, where you'll work as a fry cook for the rest of your life!"

Red tried to lighten the mood but failed miserably as Zim erupted in frustration.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! I AM ZIM! PLEASE, MY TALLESTS, I'LL DO ANYTHING TO PROVE MYSELF USEFUL TO THE EMPIRE! GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE!"

"It's too late for that, defective," Red said. "Guards, take him to a cell while we prepare a ship to send him to his designated planet."

The guards grabbed Zim, hoisting him into the air as he thrashed and yelled, "You may have won against Zim, but I will return from this banishment! I will make you proud of me again! ZIM WILL RISE!"