Earthworm Zim Chp. 5, part 1

The clock ticked as Zim just sat on the couch, nervously glancing up at Rocky's siblings, all gazing at him with incredible curiosity.

It had come down to this.

After he was revealed back at Brian and Rita's apartment, the couple, along with Rocky and her three friends, had decided that Zim, no secrets, was to be shown to the others.

And who better to start with than Rocky's family?

And here he was, in Rocky's large home, sitting on the couch with Rocky and her three friends while her siblings were on the other couch, gazing at him, knowing the truth already. Zim, having glanced up, met the gaze of Rocky's sister Ashley.

Their eyes locked for a few moments, and sweat started to trickle down Zim's neck and the wig he remained wearing started to itch under his antennas.

But when Ashely gave him an assuring smile...Zim barely had the nerve to return one back, though it was a bit crooked and he was feeling under pressure for being so exposed.

Finally, Rocky's brother Bruce spoke.

"So..." He began, trying to break the awkward silence. "You're really an alien?"

"Uh..." Zim felt a lump in his throat.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Bruce apologized quickly. "That was a stupid, obvious question, Zim. My bad."

"Okay, this is, like, getting so boring!" Abjay whined as she rested her head against the couch. "Can we just get on to telling the others already?"

"Abjay, please..." Zim turned to see Rocky taking a deep breath. "So the people we know and love know about the turtles..."

Turtles? Zim thought in confusion.

"But what we're dealing with here is someone from across the galaxy..." And then Rocky turned to look at Zim, and their eyes met. "And I doubt even Mr. and Mrs. Simpson can handle something like this..."

"She has a point..." Florentine spoke, nibbling a flower stem between her teeth.

"Yeah," Gunther agreed. "I mean, what would my parents think if they knew I was friends with an alien? I mean, sure they've seen out-of-the-ordinary, but not this!" He turned to Zim. "My parents would burn you as soon as they met you."

Zim shuddered, the sweat increasing.

Suddenly, he felt a soft touch on his fingers. He looked at his hand to see it was clasped tightly in no other than Rocky's. He gazed up and her honest face made all worry evaporate instantly.

"Sorry, he's from the Nordic country," she apologized. "They're a bit old-fashioned and stick to some Viking codes."

"But they whip up pretty good Nordic stew," Bruce said, trying to lighten the moment.

All remained silent once again as Rita and Brian, followed by Cleo and Lou, walked out of the kitchen. Zim held his breath. These were the next adults to find out about Zim. He couldn't understand why his secret had to be told to these two, and why to others as well. Rocky said it was because they were all family...

Family...

Zim didn't have time to think further when Cleo and Lou gazed in his direction. How exposed he felt, the disguise no longer hiding the Irken he was. He shuddered under their gaze, and he became even more scared when Cleo walked over to him and knelt down to his level.

"So you're the special alien child Brian and Rita have told us about..." Her voice showed neither anger nor disgust. It carried a sweet tone, almost charming-like...

Like Rocky's.

"Um, uh..." Zim swallowed hard. How weak he was! He was an alien invader, whom gone through his planet's attempt in Operation Impending Doom 1 with destroying and blowing up things and here he couldn't even utter a simple answer to this adult human female.

"Wow, that's so cool!" Lou exclaimed excitedly.

The adult male's enthusiasm took Zim by surprise, and the alien turned to Rocky, whom gave him an assuring smile.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Zim..." Rita's gentle voice said soothingly as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "We're not cruel people. We don't dissect someone for being totally different."

Finally, Zim found his voice. "Forgive me, Rita human..." His tone became serious. "But I am confused. Why exactly are you telling others about me? Why do you think they'll trust me like you?"

Rita smiled at him. "Because we've all been brought together, and we have become this large family. A family whom we trust each other's secrets with, a family whom cares for others no matter what species they are, a family that loves, Zim."

"Told you," Rocky smirked.

"Well, there will be no worry, Zim," Cleo said happily. "I'm a woman who doesn't care about who is what, and neither do our kids." And she motioned to her six children, especially Rocky.

"Brian," Lou turned to the human dog. "Did you contact Ms. Crane?"

"Sure did," Brian said with a smile.

"Ms. Crane?" Zim suddenly gulped.

"She was at the party," Rita explained. "She and Eva were quite surprised by your skin color, Zim."

Zim suddenly felt uneasy once more.

"Don't worry, little guy," Brian told him as he placed a hand on his back. "Once we take you to the Valley, you're going to meet some interesting fellows."

"And some of them are just as green as you," Rita added with a wink.
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How he had arrived to this secluded place known as the Valley, Zim couldn't remember. Now here he was, standing before even more humans.

Animals, actually.

He gazed at a large, well-rounded panda whose eyes inspected him thoroughly. Behind him were a variety of other animals, but the two that stood behind him, whom Rocky explained were his adopted children, were a skunk and a squirrel.

This squirrel seemed out of place compared to the other animals. She had hair...and her body was like that of a human's, unlike the others whom are shaped just as how they're suppose to be shaped in their species.

Finally, the elderly Panda let out a chuckle. And extended his hand down to Zim.

"It is an honor to finally meet you, Zim," he said with an old smile. "The real you."

Zim just looked at his hand for a few moments...then he took it and they shook.

"Yeah, ten thumbs up for the alien dude!"

And of course...

Zim turned to see four, tall figures standing beside Rita and Brian.

They were turtles...but not just any turtles. Mutated turtles raised with fighting skill and wore different-colored masks. When Zim first met them, he had thought they were aliens as well, but then Rocky gave him their origin of how they were to be.

The one with the purple mask, Zim learned his name was Donatello, was, as Gunther joked, 'mated' to the humanesque Squirrel. The one with the blue mask, Zim learned was Leonardo, was with the woman known as Karai. She sat on the grass along with Rocky, a very calm expression on her face. The one with the red mask, named Raphael, he was with Eva, whom had seen Zim at the party; though she seemed tough, she was ever-so-sweet to Zim. And the one with the orange mask, Zim learned he was named Michelangelo, was with the slightly short human known as Meg, standing next to Squirrel, whom was related to Brian.

And standing in front of these four turtles, was an elderly, mutated rat, named Master Splinter. For a second, Zim thought he was one of the slaughtering rat people from the planet known as Blorch, but when Zim saw he could talk and mostly drank tea, Zim realized that this mutated rat was not an enemy but another person to trust.

All these people...they could be trusted.

"I, uh..." Zim stuttered. "I am pleased that you humans, um animals, have considered Zim most honoring."

"He talks funny," giggled the skunk.

Zim smiled nervously, feeling a bit embarrassed. The squirrel gave her brother a warning look before she flashed Zim a pleasing grin.

"Want some pork dumplings?" A tall crane, known as Ms. Crane, offered as she showed Zim a plate of steamed dumplings.

Zim gasped before he stood a few feet away from the dish. Pork...it was meat...

"His species can't tolerate meat," Rita said quickly. "It hurts them."

"Oh, my!" Ms. Crane exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!"

"Stinks for him!" And three little animal girls, a cat with blonde hair, a raccoon with brown hair, and a hare with fuzzy fur, jumped in and greedily ate from the dish. Zim learned they were just known as Cat, Hare, and Raccoon.

Before Zim knew it, Rocky stood beside him. "They're Mother's Little Angels. You know, the sweet little girl band that's as popular as the Chipmunks and Chipettes?"

"Who?" Zim asked in confusion.

"Like, oh my gosh!" Abjay groaned as she turned to Florentine. "What kind of sick planet does he come from that doesn't know this kind of music?"
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After Zim was introduced to those who were in the place known as the Valley, Brian and Rita left the rest of the task to Rocky, considering she was like the leader of all the kids. And because Zim seemed to be calm around her the most...

After promising to keep him safe, Rocky took Zim, Florentine, Abjay, and Gunther on her KND bike and flew them to Mellowbrook.

There, they met up with Kick.

Kick's eyes nearly bulged out from underneath his helmet as he watched Zim slowly remove his wig and eye contacts, revealing his true Irken form.

Gunther played with his fingers nervously as he Rocky, Florentine, and Abjay watched the reaction unfold. After Rocky had landed in Kick's backyard unannounced with his family out of the house, they had all retreated to his room and locked the door, getting down to serious business.

And here Zim was, trusting both these human kids and himself with this child whom claims himself a pre-teen daredevil...

"Wow..." Was all Kick said.

"You're not going to, like, have him dissected, are you?" Abjay asked nervously.

"Why the heck would I want to do that?" Kick asked, appalled by such a question.

"So you're okay with Zim being..." Rocky turned to Zim, her brown eyes fluttering in worry.

"Well, I was a little mad when Gunther mentioned the kidnapping thing..." Kick said, folding his arms and gazed at Zim, who held an annoyed yet troubled look. "But yeah, I'm totally cool with this. I've always wanted to meet an alien."

The others drew a sigh of relief. But Rocky still seemed tense.

"You cannot mention this to anyone here in Mellowbrook!" She told Kick frantically. "Not your family! Not your classmates! Nobody!"

"Of course, Rocky," Kick chuckled. "My parents would never understand, and Brad would either want to beat up on Zim or cry in fear that Zim will conquer him. And Brianna...she'll just be a snobby brat as usual. And Gunther..." His gaze turned to his best friend. "Don't think I don't know your parents."

"Hey, I may love them with all my heart, but when you say they'll harm Zim, I so totally agree," Gunther nodded.

"KICK!"

Kick gulped, knowing that screeching voice anywhere.

"Oh, no..." Gunther moaned as he looked out the window.

"Who on this miserable is that?" Zim exclaimed. He looked out the window as well. "Great Tallest! What Earth monster is that?"

"Jackie..." Kick said quietly.

"A girl who really needs a makeover," Abjay scoffed.

"Quick, put back on your disguise!" Kick urged before he helped Zim place back on his wig and contacts. "We'll sneak out through my sister's room and get the heck out of here!"

"KICK!"

"Move!" The short daredevil urged before he and the others ran out of his room.

Zim regarded Kick as he led them to his sister's flowery room. Shorter than him, Zim was amazed how calm yet serious he was, even more serious than Zim. He watched as Kick opened his sister's window and one by one, each of the kids climbed down the gutter into the backyard.

"You know, I'm still surprised you've accepted me so quickly, human," Zim told Kick.

Kick chuckled. "We're not that different, Zim." And he offered his hand to him, and together, they slid down the gutter, joining the others.

"Kick?" Jackie called again.

Suddenly, she heard engines starting. Looking up at the sky, she saw Kick, along with his friends, being drifted off in Rocky's vehicle.

"Rocky..." Jackie growled, tightening her fists.
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Abjay checked her nails once more before she gazed over at her cousin, Pierre del Fuego and their friend Zero Kelvin, who were starting to warm up to Zim's sudden presence.

The group had flown to Mexico in front of her cousin's house. His parents not home and Zero Kelvin the only one present there besides Pierre, Abjay knew that it was now or never. They were the only two she wanted to confide in. With quick explaining, they had Pierre lock the door and shut the windows and, with a little more confidence, Zim threw off his disguise, feeling more victorious considering that the masked people of this place were weirder compared to him.

She hated her cousin's home in Mexico, hating how it totally contrasted from her home in Beverly Hills. Same went for the sport known as masked wrestling. Though she was born with a mask on her face as they both did, she didn't care much for the Code of Masked Wrestling, and usually took off her mask whenever she wanted, not caring whom she was offending; her parents understood her, unlike most of the others, such as her cousin's classmates in the Foremost World Renowned School of Lucha which she visited at least once a week; though her school in Beverly Hills was focused more on fashion and money, Abjay gave some pity and decided to 'adapt' to the other masked kids.

Though a little annoyed just being here, Abjay couldn't help but feel a little tense with her cousin and Zero Kelvin now knowing about Zim being an alien. From what they had both told her the first time she had visited her school, they had said the school had once been abducted by an alien who wanted to collect species. She never believed that aliens were real...until she met Zim.

She didn't care that she was biting her nails nervously, watching the shocked look on both Pierre and Zero Kelvin's faces as Rocky talked with them with Zim beside her.

Though Zim is so out of Rocky's league...Abjay thought, it might be possible...

Beside Abjay were Florentine, Gunther, and Kick, who were just as nervous. Out of all the masked wrestler children they could trust, Abjay made the decision that it would only be Zero Kelvin and Pierre del Fuego. Despite her shaky relationship with her cousin, Abjay knew Pierre was a trusting person, as well as Zero Kelvin, whom Abjay felt was the most trusting boy in school...and with great fashion sense, she had to admit. The other masked children would probably hurt Zim, especially someone cocky and obnoxious like that Rikochet boy...

Finally, Zero Kelvin and Pierre del Fuego turned to the others. Abjay held her breath.

"You're going to tell him to watch out for the Headmistress, right?" Pierre del Fuego told her before glancing at Zim. He smiled at the alien before patting his back. "She'd go bonkers if she ever knew Zim here was an alien!" He chuckled.

"Yeah, he's nothing like that collector alien creep," Zero Kelvin chuckled.

"I, Zim, collect nothing," the Irken said in a modest tone. "There's simply nothing worth scavenging for to hold as personal!"

"So, uh..." Abjay raised an eyebrow at her two masked friends. "You're okay with Zim being an alien? And you won't rat on him?"

"No way," Zero Kelvin shook his head. "That's something Rikochet would do..."

"Okay, great!" Abjay said in a perky tone. She checked her nails one more time. "Can we, like, get out of this dump? The tackiness of this place is making my hair stand on end!"

Zim turned to Pierre del Fuego. "You've often dealt with her like this?"

"Every week..." Pierre grumbled.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Florentine tugged on her sweater collar nervously as she gazed over to Zim and the others, Zero Kelvin and Pierre del Fuego now having joined them. Then her eyes went back to 'Welcome to Marzipan City' sign.

Their friends, especially Gazpacho, were very close family to the others. Florentine knew they would mean no harm, but how exactly would they react when they realize Zim was an alien?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nothing at all.

Florentine bit into a daisy as her eyes gazed over at Zim, whom was being offered some rare fruits by Gazpacho by his stand.

So spilling the truth was no hard job at all. She told Gazpacho, his mother, Chowder, Mung Daal, Panini, and a few others. And they all said...

"So what?"

Florentine turned to see Gunther speaking with a random customer. Apparently, he mentioned about Zim, and the customer's reaction was the same as all the rest.

"You don't care he's an alien?" Gunther asked carefully, pointing over to Zim, who was not wearing his disguise and allowed his true Irken form to show.

"Kid, my mom's half alien..." The customer said in an irritated tone before he took his groceries and left.

It pays to live in a different world...Florentine thought with a chuckle.

She turned to Rocky, whom had bit into a Frapple, even juicier than a regular apple, while the others were sampling off various stalls. She and Rocky exchanged a smile, giving the thumbs up, happy for the way things had turned out for Florentine's family.

"Hey, Flora," Rocky began, licking her lips. "You called Jimmy yet?"

Florentine smirked. "Yeah."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Miseryville was a bit far from Marzipan City, but Rocky saved the time traveling by using her KND vehicle, which, amazingly, could hold so many people.

Florentine, being Jimmy's heart's desire, introduced him to Zim, in all his alien glory. Jimmy was quite surprised by Zim's real identity, but not as much as he was surprised he could hide himself so well in just a wig and cool-looking contacts.

And then she introduced him to Jimmy's two best friends, Beezy and Heloise.

Now here the entire gang was, in the park enjoying the view of the skies. Zim laid with everyone on the dead grass. He never really thought the sky was of any importance...but then he gazed over to see Rocky gaze at the sky lovingly. Deciding to just try, Zim's ruby eyes gazed at the sky.

The sky seemed dirty, like mud off the Earth's ground...but Zim could have sworn he could actually think there was something interesting about the sky at all.

"Isn't this a lovely view, Flora?" Zim turned to see Jimmy scoot a bit closer to Florentine.

Florentine smiled, her eyes boring into Jimmy's. "It sure is..."

Zim thought he felt heat and turned to see the girl Jimmy introduced as Heloise actually turn red, her face burning like fire to a conquered planet. No doubt she was jealous of the human cat girl with dark blue hair.

She was a midget, it was the truth. She was even shorter than Kick! But that scar on her head, Heloise mentioned it was from an experiment...it would consider her something, despite her shortness.

"Burned!" Beezy laughed.

Zim regarded the large male...whatever he was. He was just some big, red guy with horns and a tail. Zim knew how much of an idiot Beezy was, but he wouldn't go out and say it; the Heloise girl pretty much tells him herself.

"She and Florentine have a bittersweet relationship."

Zim turned to see Rocky look at him, smiling. Her brown eyes shone in the light of Miseryville's three suns...

"Why does this literally miserable place have three horrible death stars?" Zim demanded, rubbing his hot forehead.

"Eh, I think it has something to do with the evolving of Miseryville," Rocky shrugged. "More heat, more misery."

"Incredible..." Zim pondered. "Irk could use a few of these suns to take down our enemies..."

Rocky gulped. "Are you...are you still thinking about world conquest?"

Zim gazed back at her, finding the worry in her voice. He never really stated anything about not conquering the planet...

When he had decided to visit Rocky, he did so because somehow Rocky's words and her tears made him actually feel bad. Almost feel bad about taking over her precious, miserable planet...

While he was glad Rocky had calmed down and they were slowly getting to know each other better, actually, everyone was starting to get to know him better, it never occurred to him about his mission.

The Tallest assigned him the mission. It was an order, a privilege...

Yet...

Zim never realized how long he had been looking at Rocky, lost in his own thoughts.

"Well, uh..." Zim gulped.

"Don't say anything yet," Rocky told him, raising her head from the grass. Zim watched as she brushed some strands from her hair. "Trust me, I've been in these kind of situations regarding the KND..."

Zim said nothing. His mind was still fighting between honoring his planet...

...and being loyal to Rocky.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Veronica tilted her head in curiosity as she gazed at Zim sitting across from her on the couch along with the others, Jimmy now included. Her mother and her stepdad, Maurice Mandrill, sat on the other couch, gazing at Zim as well.

And, of course, Adam was there. He looked at Zim with wide eyes.

Zim scratched his head in boredom...having already been introduced to so many people, he was starting to get immune to it. Rocky was the only one getting nervous.

"So, yeah," Zim said with less enthusiasm, "I'm an alien." He looked over at Veronica. "So your dad's a mandrill?"

That's when Mr. Mandrill cleared his throat. "Yes...Zim...I am a mandrill who works as a councilor in Charles Darwin Middle School."

"Last week, he helped me with my shedding problem," Adam added to lighten the conversation. "Now I can scratch my hair and leave a trail for fun."

"Yes, that's very interesting..." Zim rolled his eyes.

Veronica had said nothing as she simply gazed at Zim...then at Rocky, whom placed a worried hand on his shoulder.

Does she like him? Veronica wondered.

Of course, her best friend was kind-hearted, accepting anyone or anything. And though Zim was quite a surprise when he pretended to be human, Veronica found herself not really surprised at all to see he was actually an alien.

"Well..." Her mother began. "Though this is so much to take in at once..." She gave the kids an assuring smile. "Our family can understand that Zim here is like everyone else, if not a little different."

"A little?" Abjay scoffed.

"So you're okay with this?" Rocky asked hopefully.

"Rocks, we're all family here," Veronica told her. Then she gazed over at Zim. "We're not those kind of people..."

"Even of another kind of humans dared try to battle Zim..." Zim said in a serious tone. "Zim will fight...and will win."

Rocky sighed, shaking her head.

"Now's that confidence, young man," Mr. Mandrill told him with an impressed smile. "Something I've been trying to put into my students' minds." He pushed the tray full of treats across the coffee table toward Zim. "Meat pies?"

Zim gagged at the sight of them.

"Meat is like acid to Irkens, sir..." Rocky told him.

"Oh, wow, I'm so sorry..." Mr. Mandrill's eyes widened.

"Boy, someone who lives without meat..." Adam observed. "I don't know how you aliens do it..."

"Ask my dad, Adam," Rocky told him. "He's a vegetarian."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After saying goodbye to Adam and Veronica and her family, Rocky drove the team back to Abjay's house, wanting to drop everyone but Zim there. The others were quite surprised by her plans to accompany Zim the rest of the day.

"Look, he already got to know you guys," Rocky said as she and Zim stood outside Abjay's large yard. She turned to Zim. "But now it's my turn, so I just want him to myself."

"What you just said right now means so many things," Abjay said, smirking at Rocky.

Rocky's face flushed. Zim looked at her in confusion.

"Hello, the KND!" Rocky cried.

"Who or what is the KND?" Zim asked. "Some sort of human child army?"

"Something like that..." Rocky rubbed the back of her head. She glared once more at Abjay's smiling face. "Come on, Zim!" And she led Zim away back onto her vehicle and flew off quickly.

"Why do I have this feeling that Rocky's hiding something from us?" Jimmy pondered as he watched the sky.

"What's to hide anymore?" Pierre del Fuego asked before he and the others went inside Abjay's house.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Zim and Rocky were silent during the flight, Rocky focusing on the sky while Zim just idly watched the clouds go by. Zim gazed over at Rocky, whose brown eyes were fixed on her controls.

An excellent pilot...Zim thought. She might even be able to drive the Massive if possible!

Finally, Zim cleared his throat, driving Rocky out her thoughts and now her brown eyes were focused on him.

"I, uh..." Zim began. "All that stuff...um..."

Rocky raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was going to say, when suddenly, her communication screen lit on.

"Sir!" It was Tommy on the screen.

Rocky turned from Zim toward Tommy; thankfully, Zim was in disguise. "Coming to the treehouse, Numbuh T!"

"Roger!" Tommy saluted.

"And can you contact my cousin?" Rocky turned from the screen toward Zim, a small smile on her face. "I got news that involves him, too..."

Zim raised an eyeridge at her.

"Yes, sir!" Tommy saluted again. Rocky returned the salute and the screen went blank.

"Isn't your cousin that short human with the orange garb?" Zim asked.

"That's him," Rocky chuckled. "Don't worry, he may seem like a hothead, but he's a softie."

"How do you know?"

"Because he used to be in love with me," she said simply.

Zim nearly choked on his own spit as soon as she said that. "In love with you?" He cried. "Your cousin?"

"Well, actually..." Rocky began. Suddenly, her awareness device began to beep. "Oh, treehouse up ahead."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Soon, they landed at the docking pit of what Zim realized was the place Rocky called her 'treehouse'. It looked far from a treehouse; it was like an empire: huge, developed, and filled to the top with technology...

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rocky chuckled as she caught sight of Zim's astonished expression as they got off her vehicle.

"It's like an Irken base!" Zim exclaimed.

"Rocky, sir!" Both turned to see Lucky stumble over to them. "Numbuh 13, reporting fo-WAH!"

And he tripped unto the floor. He raised his head up and smiled in embarrassment.

"Your shoelaces, Lucky," Rocky sighed with a smile before she knelt down and tied them, something she usually did for her teammate.

Zim's glanced at Lucky gazing at Rocky as she did his laces. For a second...he thought he saw the human produce a little red on the cheeks...

Lucky caught Zim's glance and he waved at him. "Oh, hi, Zim! Welcome to our treehouse!"

"Uh, yes..." Zim said slowly as he regarded the interior of their base. "Your...treehouse..."

"Oh, Zim's here as well..." All three turned to see Tommy and Wally come in. The younger boy turned to Rocky and saluter. "Sir!"

"At ease, Tom Tom," Rocky nodded with a smile. She smiled at her cousin. "Hey, cousin."

Wally glanced over to Zim. "Oh, it's the kid with the green head..."

"WATCH IT, FOOL BOY!" Zim growled, his fingers set like claws as if he were Florentine.

Rocky got between them, giving some distance between each other. "Zim, please excuse Wally...he says what he wants to say, usually."

"You really think you can trust these three?" Zim whispered harshly to her.

"Zim, this is my team..." She responded softly. "And I trust Wally."

"So..." Wally began, arms folded. "What's the news you got for us, Rocks?"

Rocky gazed at Zim once more, her brown eyes looking into his ruby ones. She noticed how annoyed yet nervous Zim was about trusting these three boys with his secret, but as soon as Zim read her expression, he gave the nod.

He trusted her.

"Let's take this in the living room," Rocky told the others before she led them away, standing close to Zim.

"Rocky, even someone as powerful as I can't handle this!" Zim whispered nervously to her.

"Relax..." Rocky whispered back. "You've gotten through most of the others, my team is no different."

"Yeah, but your cousin..." His eyes shifted toward Wally, who had his orange hood over his eyes to make him appear even tougher.

"Will you not fret about my cousin?" Rocky told him soothingly.

Finally, after she told her team to sit on the couch, she beckoned Zim to stand behind her. Finally, after the setting was complete, Rocky took a deep breath.

"You guys have already gotten to know Zim..." She motioned to the Irken in disguise behind her.

"Know him as a weirdo..." Wally muttered under his breath.

"But, honestly, you haven't known him enough..." Rocky went on.

"Oh, oh!" Numbuh 13 exclaimed excitedly. "Are we going to throw him a party?"

"Yeah, a party!" Tommy cheered.

"Oblivious humans!" Zim barked. "Can't you see that the Earth girl has an important monologue to speak of that's more important than some ridiculous social gathering?" He calmed himself then waved for Rocky to continue.

"Uh, thank you, Zim..." Rocky said quietly. She turned to her team, then took another breath.

These were the only three out of the entire KND she could trust besides her siblings. She needed to tell them.

"Zim's an alien," she said finally.

Silence.

The three boys...they just sat there on the couch...all looking at her.

"Uh, Rocks?" Wally scratched his head. "Have you been drinking soda mixed with grape juice, again?"

Rocky gave him an exasperated look. She glanced back at Zim. "He is, guys!"

"Um, uh..." Tommy played with his cape nervously.

"Well, Rocky, I'd sure like to believe you..." Numbuh 13 played with his fingers nervously, face heating up. "But I'm not sure whether it'll help you or offend you..."

"So he has green skin..." Wally rolled his eyes. "That doesn't make him an alien!"

"Foolish, short, orange-wearing human boy!" Zim exclaimed. "I AM IRKEN INVADER ZIM!"

"And I'm the Queen of Switzerland," Wally said sarcastically.

"England," Tommy corrected.

"Oh, we got to get through this..." Rocky sighed, shaking her head. "Zim?"

Without hesitation, Zim removed his wig and contacts, Glaring at the three human boys, he threw them to the floor and stood there, an annoyed expression on his face.

Now they boys' expressions were that of complete and utter surprise, their mouths were hanging open.

"Uh..." Wally was a loss for words, his eyes bulging at the sight of the alien before them.

"And just to let you know, cousin..." Rocky said cooly, "yes...yes, I did drink my soda with grape juice this morning."

Again, more silence...the boys just staring at Zim...

Suddenly, Tommy jumped to his feet, a huge smile on his face as he rushed over to Zim.

"Wow, this is so cool!" He exclaimed as he inspected Zim closer from head to toe. "An actual alien!" He gazed up at Zim. "What planet are you from? What are your leaders like? Is food on your planet any good?"

Zim took a few steps back, surprised by the random questions this younger boy was giving him.

Numbuh 13, whom had been silent the whole time, rubbed his head. "I'm not dreaming..."

"You're not, Lucky..." Rocky said before she placed a hand on Zim. "Zim's an alien..." And she gave the Irken a smile. "A great one."

Finally, Wally stood from the couch and gazed at Zim. "So, Zim..." He began in a serious tone. "What is an alien like you doing here, huh?" His expression hardened. "World conquest, I assume?"

Zim gulped. "How did you-"

"Wally!" Rocky exclaimed, glaring at her cousin.

"What?" Wally asked innocently. "That's what the people in the movies ask when they first come in contact with an alien!"

"Watch ET, moron!" Rocky snapped. She gave Zim an apologetic look.

"Okay, okay, moving on..." Wally sighed. "So what now? Now that we know Zim's this green kid alien dude..."

"First of all, I need you guys to swear to me..." Rocky began in a serious tone, sidling closer to Zim as if to protect him. "Never to mention this to anyone, no one at school, no one in the KND..." Her brown eyes focused on Wally. "And neither your team or family."

"How come?" Numbuh 13 asked.

"Look, you know how crazy a lot of people are when they read about aliens..." Rocky began. "And look how many crazy people we have around here...and in the KND!" She looked over at Zim. "No...we can't tell them, guys...we can't risk it..."

Wally turned from his cousin to Zim. "Does your family know?" He asked Rocky, his eyes not tearing away from Zim.

"Yeah, and so do a lot of the others..." Rocky sighed. She clasped her hands nervously. "So...you'll keep it a secret?"

"Oh, Rocky, I would never, ever do anything to betray your trust!" Numbuh 13 exclaimed as he came over to her. "You're our friend! And Zim..." He turned to the alien. "He's our new friend whom is just a little different."

"Yeah," Tommy added. "While it stinks I won't get to tell Hoagie about an actual alien, I swear to keep this secret!" And he saluted.

"You know you can trust me, Rocks..." Wally chuckled. "Even I know my team would be nuts with this news if ever they knew...and Kuki wouldn't be able to hold a secret for more than ten seconds!" He smiled at Rocky. "You can trust me."

Rocky shared his smile. "I would trust you with my life..."

"That's kind of, well..." Wally rubbed the back of his neck. "Kind of majorly speaking, don't you think?"

"Oh, don't be so semi-dramatic!" Rocky laughed.

"So, um..." All three turned to Zim, whose antennas were twitching. "Zim is safe?"

"Yes, Zim..." Rocky sighed happily. "You're safe."

"Well, good!" Zim exclaimed, being his usual self. "Assuming victory for Zim!"

He jumped when a loud siren blared through the treehouse. He looked over to the four humans and found himself following them out of the living room toward what appeared to be the control room.

"What's going on?" Zim cried as he placed on his disguise. But Rocky ignored him as she pressed at the controls in front of a huge computer screen.

The screen revealed a large image of a redhead human girl who, what Zim thought, dressed like some sort of soldier, considering the spaghetti strainer on her head resembled a helmet.

"What is it, Numbuh 86?" Rocky asked.

"Cree and her team have somehow infiltrated the Rainbow Monkey Funny Wunny Mall-a-Mart and now they're controlling newly designed Rainbow Monkeys to go berserk on kids everywhere!"

"I knew Rainbow Monkeys were stupid to begin with..." Rocky said, sharing a nod with her cousin, whom hated those plush toys just as much. "But come on!"

"What be these Earth monsters you call Rainbow Monkeys?" Zim demanded to Rocky.

"Who the heck is the green kid?" Numbuh 86 exclaimed in disgust.

Rocky turned to Zim. Then a smile formed on her face. "An ally and newest member to our team."

Zim turned to look at her, raising an eyeridge. "I am?"

"He is?" Wally asked, pointing at him.

"You'll take in just anyone, won't you, Rocky?" Numbuh 86 snapped.

"Take this from me, Fanny..." Rocky snapped back with her cool, serious voice as she glared at the screen. "Maybe you might make a friend if you would do the same thing." And before Numbuh 86 could protest, Rocky shut off the screen. "Man, I hate her..."

"So, you're considering me your ally?" Zim asked.

"I've been thinking about you joining since we first met and gotten to know each other better at the party," Rocky said quickly before she led them all away toward the supply room.

"Y-you have?" Zim asked, running after them. "You've been thinking about Zim?"

But he didn't get a response, instead, he got a large piece of KND technology shoved into his hands. Zim regarded the piece of weaponry with amazement.

"Considering you're an alien..." Rocky said smoothly. "I'm sure you know how to use that."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Zim sat in amazement as he watched Tommy pilot the KND flying vehicle they obtained from their docking base. Though the design was far from anything to compare with an Irken ship, Zim had to admit that the production of it was quite impressing.

He was even more impressed that these band of kids were actually part of some major organization...battling what they called 'adult tyranny'. Comparing this to his Irken empire...Zim could see some similarities between these kids battling evil adults as well as Irken invaders battling enemies from other planets.

And comparing himself-

Zim gazed over at Rocky, whom sat at what appeared to be her leader's throne, keeping an eye on everything and everyone. She was the leader of this team, taking control of this mission assigned to her by her superior...

Zim had to admit on two things: 1. She actually seemed to fit the job, considering her calm yet serious nature. And 2. Considering she was taller than him, and that was an important quirk on his planet, Zim knew she deserved this job entirely while he himself was thrusted into his mission because his leaders said he was most-deserving, despite being so short.

"We're here," Tommy announced.

Zim looked out the window. "Hey!" He cried in annoyance. "What is this?" Rocky joined him at the window and gazed down. "All I see is some stupid looking sight with disgustingly cute-some colors and fluffy stuff!"

"That's Rainbow Monkey Mall..." Rocky grumbled, not feeling entirely excited to be part of a mission that required saving the one toy line she hated.

"You earthworms have weird, pathetic missions..." Zim said.

Landing atop of the roof of the mall, the door of the vehicle opened and the team of five quietly exited out.

"When are we going to blow up something?" Zim asked Rocky eagerly.

"Is this what they teach you on your planet?" Rocky asked.

"Um, yes..." Zim responded quietly.

Rocky shook her head before she reached a hand and smoothed the top portion of his wig. Zim was startled at first, but allowed her to finish the job.

"Making sure that wig is properly put on your head," Rocky said quickly hiding her blush. "Cree and her friends can never see your alien self."

"Uh, thanks..." Zim said quietly.

Tommy beckoned for them to stand around an open vent, and each of them slipped inside, falling into a small pathway that was connected to the roof of the mall. On their hands and knees, the team crawled forward, searching for an opening.

Finally, they came across an opening. Checking to make sure the coast was clear, Tommy quickly unscrewed each of the sides before pushing the tiny door open. They each exited out, finding themselves inside the mall.

Surrounded by unsold Rainbow Monkey products.

"I'm going to be sick..." Wall pretended to gag.

"I just threw up a bit in my mouth..." Rocky gulped.

"Oh, these colors..." Zim groaned in disgust as he gazed at every product manufactured with the Rainbow Monkey logo. "...these smiling faces...disgusting!"

"Smiling faces are alright..." Rocky insisted. "But yeah, this things are disgusting."

"I don't see any of those cruddy teens anywhere..." Wally groaned. He accidentally stepped on a plush monkey on the floor. With an irritated look, he gave the doll a kick, sending it sliding on the ground. The doll just lay there motionless...

Then it got to its feet.

"Destroy children!" It said in a metallic voice.

"Oh, no..." Rocky muttered, her brown eyes widening.

"Is this what Earth toys are like?" Zim asked, studying the doll approaching them.

Suddenly emerging from the doll's rainbow antenna was a laser of some kind, pointing straight at them.

"Uh, no!" Rocky cried before she grabbed Zim's hand and the team split.

Soon, among the products were other Rainbow Monkeys, firing at them, walking like zombies throughout the mall.

"I hate these stupid monkeys!" Wally shouted angrily before he loaded his gun and fired at one of them.  He blasted one down, but more came along.  

Rocky, Numbuh 13, and Tommy drew out their weapons and began firing at the dolls as well. Zim was a bit overwhelmed by how his weapon exactly worked. It was nothing like the weapons back on Irk...

"You pull this trigger, Zim!" Rocky cried in annoyance before she reached a free hand and snapped the trigger below his weapon, and it sent out a large bolt of electricity, shocking a few monkeys at once.

"Impressive!" Zim exclaimed, his human-disguise eyes widening.

Suddenly, the monkeys all halted...and evil laughter broke out through the halls.

"That voice..." Rocky growled, her hands tightening on her weapon. She scanned the entire mall. Finally, she caught sight of a figure standing in one of the higher levels of the mall. "Cree..."

"Hello, Rochelle..." The teen sneered as she gazed down at the kids from where she and a couple of other teen ninjas stood. "Nice of you to come and play Rainbow Monkeys with us."

"Playtime's over, Cree!" Rocky shouted, pointing her gun at her. "Release these stupid but pretty much needed dolls and surrender!"

"Oh, sure..." Cree said sarcastically. "And then we'll go to the fair and have sundaes."

"You again..." Zim said quietly to himself. He remembered blasting her one time when he had to retrieve Gir.

"Ew, who's that ugly kid?" Cree cried as she and her friends gasped in horror at the sight of Zim.

"Oh, you're going to regret that!" Zim growled. "It's a skin condition..." He said, trying to sound more calm and more human.

"Poor, ugly, stupid kid..." Cree shook her head. Suddenly, she was hit in the face with one of her controlled monkeys. "Hey!"

"Inconsiderate jerk!" Rocky shouted before she leaped up. She took out a grappling hook and flung it toward the bridge where Cree was, hooked it tightly, then pulled herself and landed in front of the teens. "Let's play!" She challenged, fists in front of her.

"Always taking me on, Rochelle," Cree shook her head, smiling evilly. She turned to her followers. "Take care of her friends and the ugly green kid. I'll take care of little Rocky."

Her followers nodded, and with the jetpacks they had on, flew down to the bottom level to take care of the others.

Cree cracked her knuckles. "This will be easy..."

"Never think it's easy when you get on my bad side..." Rocky said before she turned her head back, a crack heard from her movement.

With a battlecry, both girls lunged forward each other.

Meanwhile, the kids below were having a hard time trying to take care of the re-controlled Rainbow Monkeys Cree's followers were shoving at them.

The two teens laughed as they played with the control, watching as the four kids were breaking a sweat trying to keep the dolls away.

Zim growled, realizing that his weapon was useless against the weapons installed in the ridiculous toys. This situation nearly reminded him of Operation Impending Doom 1 which he had finished proudly back on his planet...

"That's it!" Zim suddenly realized. He threw down his weapon and dashed off.

"Where are you going?" Wally demanded, still shooting at the dolls. "We're getting our butts kicked here!"

"Trust me!" Zim shouted back, disappearing around a nearby hall.

PUNCH!

Cree stumbled back, the impact of Rocky's fist felt like a stone had been thrown at her face. She rubbed her cheek, seething in anger as she glared at the younger girl. She leaped forward and tried to punch her back, but Rocky grabbed her hand and flipped her on her back.

"Give up, Cree!" Rocky demanded as pressed her foot against her chest, not too hard to really hurt her but just enough pressure to prove her worth. "Surrender and release these dumb dolls from their misery!"

Cree glared at her...then smiled. "I guess you had forgotten about their brand new edition..."

Rocky gazed down at her in confusion.

Then she heard a loud explosion.

Behind her, there, emerging from debris caused by the explosion at a nearby private room area, was what what Cree called the 'special edition'.

It was a x-large Rainbow Monkey plush in a rainbow suit. It had Cree's touch-ups such as rocket boosters, metal fists, and laser eyes.

"Have fun!" Cree laughed before she shoved Rocky off and pushed her to the ground before dashing off.

Rocky barely had time to demand Cree come back, she was too busy focusing on the frightening new toy. It paced at her, fists moving and eyes glowing deadly red. Rocky took out her weapon in attempts to shoot it, but its laser eyes burned at her weapon, sending it to ashes beneath her feet. It was impossible to use her fists against such a dangerous toy...

So she screamed and ran, it following behind her.

"Where is Zim?" Tommy demanded, his weapon nearly running out of ammo.

BOOM!

All eyes turned behind them...and their mouths fell open.

Before them was this ten-feet robot-like Rainbow Monkey, it's paws made like fire guns and its figure covered head to to with machinery.

The two teens whom had been enjoying messing with the three boys, dropped their control, stopping the controlled Rainbow Monkeys.

The head of the robot opened, and there sat Zim at the controls. "Well, come on, human  boys!" He called before he pressed a button and a long ladder emerged from behind the robot.

"Wow!" Tommy exclaimed before he and the others dropped their weapons and rushed behind the robot. "Cool!"

"Not bad, green kid," Wally said, a cool smile on his face as he and the others climbed inside with Zim. "You've done something like this before?"

"Of course," Zim said with an evil smile. "I am now bringing impending doom to these monkey-nose pigs..." He turned to Tommy and Lucky. "Twist those knows! Pull those levers!"

"Yes, Zim!" They both said obediently, setting right to work.

"And you..." Zim turned to Wally. "Watch how we Irkens take on a battle."

"Gladly," Wally chuckled as he sat back on his seat.

The teens ran screaming in fear as the giant robot stepped forward after them, stepping on motionless Rainbow Monkeys in their path.

"What are you idiots doing?" Cree demanded as she watched her followers run off. "That's just stupid KND machinery! We can take them on easily-"

She immediately silenced when the shadow of the robot towered over her, and Cree felt her heart beat rapidly in realization.

"Hello, Cree..." Zim said evilly. He pressed a button and began firing at her.

Cree ran off screaming after her followers. Zim let out an evil laugh, a laugh he usually did when he felt powerful and victorious. This was better than Operation Impending Doom 1...

He continued firing at the teens until they ran off to the nearest exit. He intended to follow them-

"Help!"

Zim's eyes widened. "Rocky?" He turned his robot and saw Rocky run for cover as a robotic Rainbow Monkey toy chased her. Zim's eyes narrowed as he pushed the robot forward. "I'll destroy that thing!"

He pressed a button and one of the robot's paws lifted up and pointed at the smaller robotic monkey.

"Hey, you might hit my cousin!" Wally shouted.

"Please, human," Zim said modestly. "Zim has only missed a few times..."

"A few times?" Wally demanded.

"Hey, this'll be one of those lucky shots, alright?" Zim said in annoyance before he scanned the small robot monkey. He waited as the screen centered on the target.

Then he fired.

Rocky got out of the way just in time as a missile shot out at her robot enemy.

BOOM!

Rocky shielded her eyes from the debris before falling on her knees. Opening her eyes, they widened in amazement at the sight before her.

All that was left of the robot enemy was it's legs, which were on the fritz with its wires.

"Wow," was all she could say.

"Human Rocky," she turned to see the giant robot that had saved her come to a halt.

She watched as the head opened up before a line of stairs formed beneath it and Zim stood atop.

"Have those tall yet stupid, pathetic humans in horrible armor try to-"

Before Zim could say anything else, he tripped on his own feet and tumbled down to the ground, landing on his face.

"My spine!" He cried.

Rocky gasped before rushing to his side. She knelt before him. Finally, Zim lifted his face from the ground, his ruby eyes gazing into her concerned brown ones.

"Victory for Zim?" He asked weakly.

Rocky chuckled. "Victory for Zim."