Return (Invader Zim Fanfic)

9

The excitement mounted. Tak put in the final bolt into Mimi's arm. She was almost done, just one final piece needed to make her S.I.R. truly Mimi again. She looked at the P.E.M. on her work desk, her emotions betrayed her nature and she felt nervous. Everything had to be just right. One mistake and everything would be lost. Her hands shook, the need for precision swallowed up by nerves. She could not do it, not now as she felt emotions fighting her, trying to come back for round two. She growled in frustration at herself.

"I can't fail again." She breathed out a forced, focused sigh and cracked her knuckles. She reached for the proper tools, also stolen from Zim. They were small and delicate, easily bent if she was not careful. Hesitantly, Tak got to work, using the tiny tools to precisely micromanage the P.E.M. components. It was not long before she was into her work, forgetting her nerves as her talent began to take over and she settled into a safe, comfortable rhythm.

As she worked the hours away, the sky turned to day, and then night again, without her notice. She was not shaken from her talent trance until the sound of thunder shook the entire building.

She looked up from her work, startled at the sound. It took her a moment to calm down, the shock having made her fear for her fragile project. Letting out a shaky breath, Tak sat back in her chair; she closed her eyes.

After checking over her project for mistakes, she decided that she needed to clear her head. Tak paced around her apartment for a while, unable to go outside due to the storm. She was beginning to feel cooped up and claustrophobic. Her reflection in the bathroom mirror caught her attention; she looked awful.

"I'm a wreck.." she commented quietly to herself. "No Irken should look this....weak." She stared the reflection down, challenging its weaknesses.

"Just admit it, Tak. You're defective." A gruff voice from behind her made her jump. She turned around, knife at the ready; no one was there. "Hearing voices now too?" The new mysterious intrusion chuckled.

"Show yourself, coward!!" Tak yelled.

The voice laughed.

"I said show yourself!!" Tak was fuming as she searched the small apartment for the source of the voice.

"I can't." The voice plainly explained.

"Don't lie to me coward, show yourself or face the wrath of the Irken Empire!"

The voice chuckled again. "I am the wrath of the Irken Empire!"