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VINDICATION	By : Florville Category: +G through L > Invader Zim > AU/AR-Alternate Universe-Alternate Reality Views: 29601 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 69: Behind Purple Eyes

****This chapter is dedicated to SomekindofFreak and wouldn’t-u-like-2-no, my new reviewy-peeps of DOOM!! Feel honoured, my pig-smellies!

Only dozing lightly, Red woke with a start when he heard footsteps approaching the cell door, and he pulled Purple tightly against him, scowling at the entryway. When Zim appeared in the doorway, Red’s scowl darkened.

Zim deactivated the perimeter field, stepping into the cell and motioning for his guards to remain outside.

“I have a proposition for you.” Zim began.

“We’re not interested in your propositions, Zim.” Red snapped.

Sighing and shaking his head, Zim looked down at him. “I’m afraid you don’t really have much choice, Red.”

“You are to address me as Tallest, traitor.” Red growled.

Zim’s antennae stiffened and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “I don’t want to have to kill you, Red. So if you value your life, you’ll listen to what I have to say.”

Red clenched his teeth, remaining silent. Purple finally stirred, his eyes blinking open.

“I have spoken with the Medical Officers on board, and we have devised a way to ensure my rule without killing you.”

“Your rule?” Red snorted, rising to his feet and stalking towards Zim, his eyes blazing. “Why you horrible, defective little drone!! How dare you try to usurp—” Red was cut off by two guards stepping into the cell with their tazer-spears pointed at him threateningly, blocking his way.

Zim’s eyes narrowed and he clenched his teeth. “It would be far easier and much quicker to just have the Medical Officers amputate both of your legs, you know.” Zim motioned for the guards to put away their weapons, and the two guards lifted their spears, remaining by his side. “Now, you are either going to shut up and listen, or I will give the order for your execution. Is that understood?” Zim quirked an antenna, his expression one of extreme irritation.

Red just scowled hatefully.

“You will undergo a surgical procedure which will shorten the distance between the bones in your spine, thus decreasing your height and allowing me to take my place as ruler of the Empire without ending your lives.” Zim’s eyes darkened. “The other option would be to kill you. The choice is yours, but you must make it now.” Zim looked over at Purple, then back at Red. “Surgery or death. It’s that simple.”

Growling, Red clenched his fists. “I’d rather die than live in an Empire with you in charge.”

Zim shrugged off the comment, waving a hand dismissively. “Your execution shall be arranged, then. Purple, what is your choice?”

Purple whined softly, wringing his hands as he looked over at his fellow prisoner. “I…don’t want to die, Red. I really don’t.” He swallowed hard. “I mean…not being Tallest wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”

Red went to slap him, but found his arm restrained by a firm grip on his wrist. He looked back and saw Zim holding his arm, scowling darkly.

“Raise a hand against him again and I’ll have you chained, Red. SIT DOWN.” He shoved Red aside, pointing to the bench on the far wall; once Red had seated himself, Zim turned back to Purple, who was looking up at him curiously. “What is your decision, Purple?”

Purple blinked up at Zim, surprised that he had intervened. “I…well…” he cleared his throat awkwardly, then wrung his hands again. “Why don’t you want to kill us, Zim?”

Zim sighed. “Because you were my leaders once. And while I don’t like the way you treated me, you did spare my life once, and I feel that I owe you the same favour.” He gazed steadily at Purple. “Now…what is your decision?”

Purple fidgeted awkwardly, then looked over at Red.

“Don’t look at him, Purple.” Zim spoke firmly, stepping in front of him to block his view. “Make your choice.”

Purple rubbed his arm, his antennae twitching. “I guess…I’ll do that thing. The…uh…not dying thing.”

Relieved, Zim nodded, a faint smile crossing his face. “I’m glad.” Turning to Red, he quirked an antenna. “Do you still wish to be executed?”

Red scowled at Purple, his features darkening with spite and thinly veiled disgust as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve made my decision. Let that coward live, I don’t care.”

Purple’s eyes widened in dismay and he blinked at his former co-ruler, his antennae lowering as he gave him a hurt look. “I’m not a coward, Red, I just—”

“Shut it, Purple.” Red snapped, turning away.

Frowning, Zim motioned to his guards, pulling one close and speaking low into his earspot. “Fetch me one of Purple’s sleep-robes so he can wear it. I’m going to move him out of this cell.”

A few minutes later, Zim and three of his guards were leading Purple down a corridor on one of the upper levels.

“Um…where are we going?” Purple murmured nervously.

Zim stopped in front of one of the doors, motioning to it. “Until the Medical Officers are prepared, I’m putting you in a suite; however, you are confined to quarters. There will be guards manning the door, so don’t bother trying to escape.”

“These are my guards, Zim.” Purple sighed, pulling his robe tighter around himself.

For a moment, Zim gazed at him, wondering if Purple had been equally as guilty of his torment as Red, then deciding that it was of little relevance. “I have taken control of The Massive, Purple. The officers have already acknowledged me as their commander. The only thing left for me to do is to be ceremonially Ordained, and I will lead the rest of the Irkens as well.”

Purple appeared to become lost in thought, and Zim motioned to his guards to wait outside the door as he himself led Purple into the suite. When they were alone, Zim spoke. “Did you hear what I said to you?”

“Yes.” Purple murmured, not meeting Zim’s eyes.

Zim was silent for a moment, then spoke again. “You’re not yourself.”

Purple sighed, shaking his head and going over to the plush and comfy bed, sitting down on the edge. After a moment of looking around, he finally looked back over at Zim. “Why did you stop Red from hitting me?”

Zim blinked at him. “Would you rather I had let him?”

Purple shook his head emphatically. “No, no…I just…wondered, is all.”

“Because violence like that is below the dignity of an Irken.” Zim looked away. “It’s something that the simplest and most ignorant of races engage in, and I don’t like it.”

Lifting his head, Purple blinked at his former subordinate for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

Zim met Purple’s eyes, blinking at him in return. His former leader had just thanked him. Wasn’t that a sign of respect? Not sure what to make of the response, Zim only nodded, then spoke again. “But there’s something else on your mind.”

Cringing, Purple lowered his head again, running his long fingers along the edge of the bed. “It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s something.”

Purple shook his head, remaining quiet for a long time. Eventually his eyes slipped closed. “Are you really going to kill Red?”

Zim sighed, walking over to the bed and sitting down next to his former leader, rubbing his temples. “I don’t know. I really don’t want to…it soils my own reputation, and it would weigh on my conscience. I don’t want to kill either of you.” He lifted his head, looking at Purple sadly. “I’m afraid he’s not leaving me much choice.”

Purple nodded quietly, looking down at the floor. “I guess you’ll do what you have to do.”

Nodding, Zim got up and walked to the door, looking over his shoulder for a moment. “I always have.” He walked out, engaging the lock from the outside and ordering two of his guards to remain at the door. Zim turned to the other guard and indicated the suite. “I want him to be well-treated, but don’t pamper him. Get him some standard civilian clothes to wear.”

The guard saluted. “Yes, My Tallest.”

*

Zim walked along one of the corridors back towards his suite, where Dib was resting, stopping when Invader Ryu ran up to him and saluted.

“My Tallest, your orders have been executed.”

Grinning, Zim nodded. “Excellent. Take the rest of the day off. I’ll go and speak with her. What deck is she on?”

Invader Ryu smiled and handed him the small screen with the prisoner information, room number, and access code.

Zim nodded. “Dismissed.”

*

Tak paced the length of the suite she had been confined to, irritated and utterly confused. All the female Invader escorting her had said was that her presence had been requested by the Tallest.

So why was she being confined? She’d done nothing wrong…at least that she knew of…Not only that, why did only one of the Tallests want to see her? And which one? Tak sighed. Probably Red, if she knew him well enough. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d tried to get her alone. She continued to pace back and forth, pausing to brush some more of the dirt off of her janitorial squad uniform.

When the door swished open, she stood at attention and saluted, her jaw dropping when she saw the Tall Irken who walked in. She immediately dropped the salute, staggering back. “ZIM??”

Zim grinned, greatly pleased by her reaction. “Yes. It’s been a long time.”

Tak scowled. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, but I’m sure the Tallests wouldn’t approve of it. I was told that they want to see me, so you’d better leave before they get here and banish you again.”

Ignoring the insult, Zim smiled and shook his head, approaching her. “The Tallest does want to see you, yes…”

The violet-eyed Irken backed up further, her expression agitated and her stance defensive. “And I suppose you know which one? Ha.” She scowled, jerking her chin up. “I don’t even know why you’re on board their ship, other than to amuse them.”

Zim smirked, continuing to stalk towards Tak until he had her backed up against the wall. He leaned both hands against the wall above her head, gazing down at her. “I don’t think our former leaders find me all that amusing any more, Tak.”

Tak’s antennae twitched, her expression beginning to grow nervous due to her being overshadowed by Zim’s newfound height. “Former? What are you talking about?” she hissed, her purple eyes narrowing.

Gently trailing a finger up her throat to her chin, Zim tilted her head up, leaning down until their faces were inches apart. “You may address me as Tallest Zim, Tak.”

Snarling in outrage, she shoved him hard, extending her spider-legs and pointing them at him. “Get out.”

Zim chuckled, shaking his head, remaining where he was standing. “You have no authority to order me on my own ship, Tak.”

“Did you suddenly find humour, you sorry excuse for an Irken? The only reason you were assigned to that planet was—”

“I KNOW why I was assigned to that dirt-ball, JANITORIAL DRONE.” Zim snarled, gratified when she grimaced at the title. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll hold your tongue. I have no reason to be generous towards you, Tak.”

Tak scowled at him. “You dare pretend to command the Tallests’ ship?! You’re nothing but a food-service drone, ZIM.”

Zim clenched his fists. “Not for long. I am going to Irk to be ceremonially appointed, and YOU are going to have a front-row seat at my Ordination.”

With that, Zim turned and stalked out, leaving Tak even more confused than before.
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VINDICATION