2002 lets out a very soft grunt, feeling himself pull out of the void of unconscious. It took a short while for his eyes to flicker open due to the brightness, his blurry vision clearing up to find himself inside some sort of building. He's not exactly sure how big it is. He can just see how rusty and a bit messy it was, with some junks seen at the corners of the wall. The warm light seeped through the opening door and windows, with the room he is in being almost empty. One thing he took notice of were some shards of glass dangling by the ceilings, reflecting small lights that surrounded part of the room. 2002 moved a bit, expecting to feel immense soreness on the back of the neck due to it arching back while he was lying down.

Fortunately enough, it wasn't as bad he thought. And it was then that he realized that he was actually resting his body against the wall.

Huh...I wonder who brought me over here, he wondered. 2K? It has to be 2K, right? Who else would it have been?

His head softly turned about the room, looking for the baby version of himself.

"2K?" He called out.

No answer.

"2K, are you here?"

Still no answer.

His eyes furrowed. Maybe that smeet might be somewhere around this building doing something. Even so, he guesses this is his shelter. Quite a large space with a staircase for a tiny Irken to have all for himself. If so, how was he able to own it? His head aches a bit by those thoughts, making him not want to question more. After all, he just woke up. And as much as he wants to get up and look for him, there's a possibility that the other invader could be busy with something else and doesn't want to be interrupted. Not to mention that his body still needs to fully wake up.

He fully lets out a sigh. He lets himself lean back against the wall and closing his eyes in order to take a moment in breathing through his water easily and to take the small amount of stress out. He sat there for quite a while in order to feel the peacefulness of the empty room before opening his eyes a bit. He turned his head to the left to see nothing much in his sight except for an old Irken with a beard, holding a cup of tea and smiling right at him. He turned his head to the right to not see anything too interesting ei-

His body went stiff.

He turned to the left again to see the old guy still there.

"My my!" He happily spoke out, "about time you woke up!"

"...GYAH!" 2002 jumped back and tried to move away from him.

"Now now," the Elder gently halted him, "I'm not gonna hurt you. You are safe and sound here. Tell me, did you sleep well? Your neck isn't hurting?"

2002 froze while still leaning back in a defensive position. His scared eyes glued unto him, but began to feel the shock ease down with the way the old man gave a bit of a goofy but kind nurturing smile towards him. He frowned,

"U-uh...it feels, um. Fine?"

"Ah yes yes," he smiled wide as he puts down his teacup and picks up the other one, along with a crafted teapot next to him, "I'm so glad to hear. I can't imagine just how annoying it must be to sleep when you have that head bowl. I mean, you have limited comfortable sleeping positions, you cant scratch your own face, you can't hold your head whenever you feel dizzy, stressed, or sad. How are you able to manage through that?"

The Elder starts to pour what looks like coffee onto the coffee. Could it be coffee? He'll be surprised if there is actually coffee in the Zimvoid. But he ignored that thought and just gave an awkward uneasy chuckle, still not sure how to feel towards this old man,

"It's er...not easy I'll tell you that much."

"Mmhm," he hummed as he put the teapot down, "well at least on the bright side, you don't have to worry about having your head squashed by someone's foot. The head is one of the most sensitive part of the body that if someone punches it, you can go down easily."

"Uh. Yes. Right-"

"Here," the Elder suddenly lends him the drink, "you must be thirsty."

2002 processed it and tried to give a polite smile,

"Oh no thank you. I don't really drink anymore."

"Ah, you can just go along with it. Sets the calm mood!"

2002 looked at him for a short while longer and then back at the teacup.

I guess it would stink if I say no to the old version of myself.

He goes ahead and carefully takes it, looking inside the cup, which appears to be filled with small scraps and thick brownish looking liquid. The hybrid starts to give an uncomfortable look,

"Um. What kind of drink is this exactly?"

"Mud tea!" He proudly announced, "with a flavor of scraps to go along with it! Doesn't it look great?"

"Well...yes...looks. Great."

The Elder chuckled again,

"Great to hear."

2002 tried to chuckle back, despite it being possibly the fakest chuckle he's ever made. It softly died down, his smile fading away, as his furrowed eyes gazed down at the tea again with a thought that kept bothering him. He lowered his tea and traced his eyes back at him.

"Listen, I know you love to chat with people and all, but I need to ask you something. I was with this Zim. This Zim was a baby version of ourselves. A size of a Gir, big baby tooth, wears a goggle. Have you ever seen him around?"

"Ah yes!" He answered, "you're talking about 2K! You were really calling out to him earlier."

The other Irken's eyes widen,

"You know him? Where is he?"

"Relax. He'll be fine. He's resting up upstairs. Boy, the poor child was extremely exhausted. You must have really done or told him something that motivated him into dragging you all the way to this base while carrying a filled jar that is too heavy for a baby to carry."

2002 made a beat of a pause,

"Wait...2K did that?"

"I know. I'm surprised as well," he picked up his teacup again and starts stirring it, "after all, it's extremely unlike him to go out and care about other Zims. The only ones he has ever been so nice to is myself and my other member."

His eyes looked back up at the guest.

"Have you done something that made him want to do that? Something about 'saving his life twice'?"

At first, he couldn't understand what the bearded guy was talking about. But he then recall when he saved 2K from being swept away from the sewage's filthy water. Along with supporting him during their fight with the notorious gangs. 2K must have told him this. Who else would have? Which would mean that he must be be his ally. He can't however understand what this means when he said that it's unlike the smeet to help others and how he can be responsible for his sudden change of behavior.

"I don't seem to fully understand what you're saying," the fish hybrid spoke, "what makes you think that I made him want to help me? We've only interacted with each other for about few to several hours."

"Alright then," the Elder responded, "then you might as well tell me everything. How did you two met? What were you both doing? Why did you both come here with such low amounts of PAK energy?"

2002 blankly stared at him for quite a while. He guesses if he is going to get any answers out what exactly he's talking about, it doesn't hurt to tell him everything. He took a deep breathe and started telling him the story. How he came to the Wasteland and what he was doing. How he bumped into 2K and their deal. He told him the story of the sewage and rescuing him. How they ran into the gangs and how they decided to work together in order to defeat them. And finally, how he passed out soon after.

"The last thing I remember was 2K asking me if I was alright. I tried to move him out of the way so I won't fall on him and I just blacked out right there. I can't even tell if I actually did hurt him."

His eyes have gazed at the ground while telling his story. And once he finished, looks back at the Elder.

"He didn't look hurt, right?"

He shook his head, yet his hand stroke his beard when he did, processing the entire story. The stroking of his beard stopped, made a beat of a pause, and then set his eyes back on the other Irken.

"Impressive..."

"Impressive?" 2002's eyebrow raised, "what do you mean by that?"

"It means I am very impressed by your actions. Normally, a Zim would prefer to focus on their own well being. After all what kind of Zim would want to help another weaker Zim?"

2002 looked at him confused,

"Uh. You sort of did?"

"Technically yes. Though I wouldn't have done so if 2K didn't bring you over. Anyways, I'm curious. Why did you help him?"

2002 sighed,

"I don't know. I guess many things were going into my mind. When he almost got sucked away from the sewers, I felt this a soft second of desire to take the honey for my own being but...I just couldn't do it. I was more into helping another Zim than helping just myself. I couldn't just abandon him like that because...well, why should I? Why would I abandon someone who is just like me?"

"And is that the only reason?"

"That was the only reason. Soon after, I learned about him a bit more. He doesn't seem to be as selfish and reckless as I thought. He's very tough and brave for a baby and..."

He made a soft shrug.

"I just felt...like he was worth teaming up with. And it happened so fast cause I suddenly no longer felt afraid to go against my own selves. I started seeing my alternate selves just different people the same way I saw 2K. And I sometimes still wonder, if I made the right choice to take that action. And at the same time I sort of don't? When I teamed up with 2K, it was something I never felt before. It felt...fun and amazing!" He suddenly let out a smile while clenching his fist, "like it was something I've been missing all this time and-"

His smile stopped when he hesitated. He rest his hand on his bowl, stressfully confused.

"Ugh, I don't even know why I did it. It just came out of me."

"I see..." the Elder said, "and let me ask you a question. Do you have a Dib?"

2002 paused by the question before softly narrowing,

"What are you talking about, of course I have a Dib. Even though I wish I didn't-"

"Have you ever tried to find a way to kill him?"

"Kill him? No, but there have been times I tried to banish him to another planet or at least have his butt stuck to a chair for all eternity."

"Did you destroy any invaders in Impending Doom 2?"

"No, but many of them got badly injured to the point where they needed to be at the medical base for three months. But I only injured them by accident because I thought few building were abandoned."

"Then that makes sense as to why you act so selfless. You appear to not have much Zimness in you."

"Zimness? What does that mean?"

"Here in the Zimvoid, the way how we define Zimness is someone who acts the closest to a 'Real Zim'. It was actually adopted by Number 1 himself. According to him, a real Zim would never back down from anything. If a Zim wants to achieve his rank as a true invader, they are willing to risk it and by any means. What you have is nearly the opposite and you are not the first one I've seen. But as of so far, out of all that I have met, you are possibly the kindest and selfless Zim I ever encounter."

"That's absurd!" 2002 spoke out angrily, "a real invader would never be kind and selfless towards anyone!"

"Well obviously a real invader should show no feelings towards anyone," the Elder shrugs as if it was obvious. "But anyhow, as unfortunate as it may seem, maybe it may come into good use. Think about it. In a world that we live in, there is no time to compete against one another. If we are going to take down Number 1 and find a way to escape the Zimvoid, we are going to have to work together."

While he was saying this, small figure was walking down stairs, rubbing his eyes tiredly after have recently woken up. He starts to hear a conversation and turns to see who the Elder was talking to, his antennae raising in surprise to see the same Zim he was with yesterday listening to him.

"I don't understand," 2002 furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "what do you mean by that?"

"Well you see," the Elder replies, "where you are at right now is-"

"2002?"

The two stopped their conversation when they heard a voice of a child before they turned to see where it came from. The moment 2002 saw 2K standing by the staircase, he strangely felt a huge sense of relief that he looked completely fine. The fact that he still a felt a sense of concern towards his alternate self still amazes him. He was also a bit taken back that he was no longer randomly calling him different nicknames like he was suppose to. Maybe he ran out of ideas at this point? That or he has forgotten it.

"2K," 2002 couldn't help but smile a bit, "you're ok."

"Well Ofcourse I'm ok doofus," the kid softly narrowed, "like I said. Zim is always ok!"

"Ah 2K, my fellow young Zim," the old guy smiles, "you woke up earlier than expected. Shouldn't you have rested a little longer?"

"I was curious to see if you actually brought him into the base. Besides," he adjusted his goggle, "sleep is for the weak."

"Very well," the Elder nodded, "then why don't you go ahead and sit with us? I was just about to explain your new friend here about the Re-!"

"Quiet!" The baby snapped quickly, "he's not my friend!"

There was this urge that made 2002 want to follow this idea and cross his arms, attempting to look annoyed,

"Uh right, we don't see each other as friends at all! Just...acquaintances."

"Well less than acquaintances." 2K replied.

"Yeah," 2002 pointed out, "like he said."

The Elderly blankly glanced at both of their reactions. After a short while, he chuckled,

"Oh yes right. I tend to forget that no Irkens should get along with anyone. But to continue, 2K, may you sit next to this Zim that isn't your friend at all?"

2K accepted this by going down the stairs and sitting next to 2002, avoiding eye contact with him as much as he could. During this awkward silence, 2002 glanced at his teacup. His eyes traced his eyes at the child for a moment. Avoiding looking at him again, he handed it to him, to which apparently accepted it and started stirring it with his finger.

"Now then," the old man wondered, "where was I? ...Oh yes!"

He looks back at the guest,

"Where you are right now is a base that is home to the Resistance."

The name suddenly rung a bell.

"Resistance...Resistance. That's right," the fish Irken's eyes lit up in interest, "2K and some thugs mentioned that name. It's a group, right? It sounds more like some sort of rebellion."

"Correct you are!" The Elder smile.

"But wait...would that mean...you're the Elder?"

"Correct you are again! I am the leader of the Zim Resistance."

"The leader..." 2002 murmured.

"Yeah isn't that cool?!" 2K suddenly happily spoke up while looking at him, which made the whole "being careless about a guy he teamed up with" kind of pointless, "and not only that, he is one of very first Zims to enter the Zimvoid! Also being few of the Zims that survived at that time!"

2002's eyes went huge in horror,

"There are Zims that actually died here?!"

"Nahhh," 2K teased, "I just say that to make it sound cool."

...2K stopped smiling,

"At least I hope no one died here."

He felt a bit relieved by this. But he recalled the first thing 2K said, which made him look back at the Elder.

"Wait though. If 2K said about you being one of the first to enter the Zimvoid, you must at least know where this void came from. How did we start receiving the distress signal? Who's responsible for this?"

"Well boy, I'm glad you asked such an answer..."

2002 waited, readying himself on knowing the world's origin.

"...No one knows."

"Huh?"

"No one knows," he answered again, "that is something everybody is still trying to figure out."

Oh...ok?" 2002 softly frowns, "and...how long has it been since you arrived here?"

"Let me calculate," he pondered for a bit. "2K joined the Resistance a week ago...which marks the time when it has been...yes, I recall! It has been three months since I entered the Zimvoid."

"Three months?" The guest was pretty astonished, "you're telling me that this Number 1 has formed this entire system, along with you making this Resistance and growing a beard within three months?!"

"Heheh yes yes," the Elder gazed out smiling, "it's been that long now. Though in all honesty, it does feel like it all just happened yesterday..."

He looked back at 2002 and then said,

"Would you like me to tell you the tale of how this society came to be-?"

"Yes!" 2K chirped excitedly.

"2K," the old Irken turned to the smeet, "I already told you this story when you arrived here."

"I know," he crossed his legs still smiling, "I just want to hear it again."

"Very well then. And you?" The leader turns back to the other Zim.

2002 shrugged,

"If it can help me escape this place then...why not?"

The Elder nods. He goes ahead and clear his throat.

"It all started three months ago. Just like you two, I received a distress signal that was coming from Pandora Quadrangle. I went through the vortex, but ended up getting my ship destroyed by the Zapper, leaving me trapped in this world. Around that same time, I wasn't all alone. More and more ships crashed unto the Zapper and crash landed around the same location as mine. The other first Zims came in different appearances. One that was taller than the others, another one being orange with a weird cat-like expression, the other having a darker skin tone. There was even one that had a shark head, though I'm not too sure as to what lead him to looking like that. But besides that, the only thing we found here during that time was the Zapper only. No castle, no underground city. Just a glowy device that was sitting on a lifeless asteroid planet."

"We don't fully know about what is the purpose to the Zapper besides destroying our ship and disabling half of our PAK's functions. But what we do know is that it may be responsible for luring us into the Zimvoid. The big question to this day is who made it. After all, it couldn't have just appeared into thin air. It appears to be Irken built, given the device looking familiar to our technology. But besides that, none of us can't figure it out to this day. And it even got to the point where we focused more on finding a way to survive here."

"Shortly after though, one of the first Zims rose up and promised great changes that will continue our greatness. Promises that were only lies in order to create a system where he can rule all. And he succeeded this by making us compete with one another. Having each of us race for the very top. And it is because of this that the system has yet to be broken. Luckily, I was first to notice Number 1's lies and decided to become a reject. I stole a key and broke free from my collar," he pulled down the turtleneck of his clothing to prove he has no collar, "and soon after, me and the others took shelter underground. And I, along with Meat, were able to build a home for the Resistance. That is the story of Zimvoid as of so far. Along with the origin of the Zim Resistance."

"Wow..." 2002 murmured, "I don't even know what to say. A Zim in the Zimvoid? Without a collar? You must have found some way in order to get a key from a guard or anyone from a much higher rank."

"Yes," the Elder smiled in pride, "that is what makes me the best."

"How were you able to do that?"

"It wasn't easy, that was for sure. But to continue, I formed this Resistance so we can find a way to take down Number 1's reign as leader. We can't just be spending all our time following his lies just so we can rot away and let our Dibs claim victory. If we're ever going to find our way out of the Zimvoid, every single one of us must band together and use our brilliant minds."

"Yeah!" 2K chirped again and turned to 2002, "see? I told you the Elder had the same ideal as you!"

"Well I'm just glad I'm not the only one who thinks the same way," 2002 responded. "For a moment I thought my entire alternate selves are complete idiots."

"That we're what?" 2K narrowed.

"There's another thing I'm curious to know," the hybrid ignored the smeet and turned back to the Elder, "how many Resistance members are there right now?"

"As of right now," the leader answered, "there are only three of us. Me, the Meat, and 2K."

"What?" 2002 was taken back in disbelief, "I thought you said there were people with you when you started settling underground!"

"Indeed there were. But most of them were more interested in getting away with the restrictions of the society rather than fight against it. After all, with how powerful the higher ranks are, they don't want to go risking their lives over something they believe they can't win."

"Are they crazy?!" 2002 said in anger, "do they they think that they have been sheltering under a rock their whole life? We are invaders! And not just invaders, we are Invader Zim! The greatest invader the Irken Empire has ever seen! We spent who knows how long on our Urth in order to fully conquer it!

"We don't give in to anything! Isn't our job as invaders is to fight with everything we got? Even if it might risk our life?!"

The Elder blinked, impressed by his words.

"Young one. If only it was this simple to say this in front of everyone trapped here. But it appears the system has made them stop fully believing on what they once were. We can no longer go by our name "Zim". For "Zim" has become nothing more than acting like a different kind of race. It is because of this that we have been forced to adopt by our new names. Many have even, at this point, already started to give in from ever going back home. They just started to adjust to the new life here instead."

"But that is not true. There is a way to get back to our old lives. That is why we need to convince them, or prove to them, that we got what it takes to take down this society. And maybe...you two can be the ones who can do it."

"Huh?" 2K said in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" 2002 asked again.

"I have seen how each of you show bravery, loyalty, and confidence that is needed in order to fully form the Resistance. When this Fish Zim here told me the entire story of your teamwork yesterday, I was impressed. We need teamwork's like this here in our group."

The Elder traced his eyes to the older one,

"Especially to someone who also knows the true meaning of being a Zim. Young one, I'm here to make a request to you. Will you like to join the Resistance and partner up with 2K?"

2002 paused for a short while.

"I...I don't understand."

"You see, I have been planning on giving 2K a partner since yesterday. He has great confidence and bravery. But he needs someone that can back him up. Someone who would let him know the dangers that can be up ahead. Maybe there is something he can teach you in return. After all, you two seem to get along quite well, you know, despite not being "friends". And that's saying a lot in a place where everybody prefer to look after themselves."

The Elder looked at the smeet.

"2K, would you finally be interested in it?"

2002 turned his head to look at the smaller one. His big round eyes shows to be furrowing, contemplating about it. His eyes traced down at the ground and shrugs.

"Hard to say. I still believe I can be useful here by relying on my own skills. And I don't think it's mainly because I need someone to back me up. It's complicated."

"So does that mean you accept?" The Elder asked again.

The smeet just shrugged again,

"Eh. Maybe? At this point I don't really care either way. But if this 'partner' of mine keeps yanking on my antennae, then I'll reconsider."

"Good. And you?" He now turns to 2002, "will you accept this offer?"

At that moment, the fish Irken froze. He sat like that for few seconds and then turned to 2K. Surprisingly, the smeet was now gazing at him in curiosity. He wondered what the little guy was thinking. Was he curious on what his answer might be? Does he really want him to accept? His heart raced anxiously. One part of him felt the urge to accept it since he really starting to feel pretty bonded by this child. He can't imagine what might happen to him in the future if he doesn't accept this. What dangers he might run right into.

Dangers he might run into...dangers he might...

At that moment, the image of Gir swept into his mind. Gir. He forgot about him. Such an idiot! what is he doing? He almost forgot his previous plan! He was going to eat food so he can have enough energy to find his robot and find the materials needed to build his ship and leave the Zimvoid. But given a day has passed, he was running out of time. His robot shouldn't be out alone this long. With him remembering what he was suppose to do, the he felt anxiety by the offer he was just given. He wanted to to work with 2K and help him get out of this place too. But...

"I...I-I can't," he frown.

2K's antennae lowered a bit, but his expression barely changed. Possibly because he didn't expect him to reject it, but was confused as to why.

"You can't?" The Elder blinked in a bit of surprise.

"No. I can't," he stood up, "I'm sorry. But my Gir is still out there. I can't just accept this when I'm still aware he can be doing something idiotic. I got to go."

He starts to quickly walk towards the exit. They watch him go. The Elder gazed for a short while and then turned to the baby Zim.

"Did you knew this?"

2K glanced at the leader with a soft frown, and then glancing down.

"Um. Yeah, he was going on about it in the sewer."

2002's walking slowed as he was overhearing this conversation.

"Why didn't you tell him?"

2k sat there quiet for two seconds and rubbed the back his head,

"Uh. I didn't know how to say it."

2002 finally halted by the exit. He looked back at 2K.

"Say what?"

2K notices that the Elder was glancing at him again. He made a head dip, to which the smeet understood what that head gesture meant. 2K closed his eyes and sighed,

"Why do I have to be put in this situation?"

He completely looks back at 2002. He takes a deep breath.

"When we made an entry to the Zimvoid and got hit by the Zapper, our Girs got hit by its electricity, causing them to get fully fried up to the point of their destruction. Either they would get burned or blown up. But the fate would be exactly the same."

The Irken hybrid stood their silently. It took him a moment to process.

"So you're saying that my Gir might have..."

2K's eyes furrowed,

"Didn't you witness it? Did the same happen to you?"

The moment he asked him this, the memory of his robot having the electricity rush through his body and exploding rushed into his brain. He nearly lost balance as if a huge wave swept through his body. He felt like his body was hot and cold at the same time, his mind fighting back the painful image the best he could.

That didn't happen. That didn't happen. No. It was just a dream I had. It didn't happen.

"Woah hey there," the smeet put his teacup down and halted him, "no need to force it down your throat too hard. I-I mean I know it's bad. But...look at the bright side," he tried to smile, "at least our Girs don't need to keep screaming their heads off 24/7-"

"SHUT UP!"

2K flinched, causing his body to grow stiff. The child noticed at this point how angry he looked all of a sudden. 2002 apparently tries to cool himself down, but remained glaring at him.

"You don't know that. None of you know that. I know I'm not suppose to care about my Gir like all of you are doing, but I'm different from all of you!"

The two remained quiet. At this point, 2002 didn't even want to bother spending his time getting angry, feeling that maybe he might have gone a bit too far.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for everything. But I have to go."

With that, he rushes out of the base. The two gazed out to where he once was. The smeet can finally feel himself unfreeze and process everything that happened. And knowing that what he said wasn't the best choice of words, he letting out a frustrated growl.

"Dookie..."

He stood up and starts rushing for the door.

"Where are you going?" The Elder asked him, "you can't go all the way to where he's heading."

2K halted near the door. He looks back at him. The Elder reads the look on his face and he sighs.

"Alright. Do what you think is right."

2K nods. He looks to where 2002 is heading and rushes out the door.

—

2002 can be seen racing out of the cave that leads to the underground city, emerging out to the surface. His eyes target to the tall glowing green tower that the everyone said Is called the Zapper. A communicator stuck out of his PAK, facing him.

"Gir! Come in Gir! Can you hear me now!"

But instead of hearing his robotic servant, he instead heard static sounds as usual. He made a frustrated sigh and look out.

"Maybe if I get closer," he softly told himself and continued running to the destination.

Meanwhile, 2K emerged from the cave and stopped for a moment to catch his breath. When doing so, he looked out to see the fish hybrid continue running off. He straightened up,

"Hey! 2002! Wait up!"

Of course, he's aware that he doesn't like to be called by that. But what can be better than calling him by his appearance? Doesn't matter right now. He went ahead and kept on catching up to him. Despite 2002 hearing 2K by the distance, he ignored him.

This Zim is insane, he thought, the whole Zims are insane. This whole world is insane. I am NOT going to stick around with these fake mes forever. I am going to find Gir, fix my ship, and go home!

Five minutes into his running he starts getting near his destination. He uses the communicator again.

"Gir! Can you hear me now!"

"Wait!" 2K kept trying to catch up to him, "it's better you don't go back there!"

"Silence!" He angrily shouted back, "you don't tell Zim what to do!"

"Well you don't tell Zim what to do either!" He narrowed but it softened, "just trust me on this! You don't want to go that way-!"

"Gir!" He talked to the communicator again, "stop lounging and fix the ship already! Hurry!"

2K was starting to loose track of him. He growled,

"Newcomers..."

2002 finally got up to the top of the junk piles and slowed his running, gasping for water. Once he was able to, he looked back down at the communicator,

"I swear," he narrowed in exhaustion, "if you don't pick up I...will..."

His words halted the moment his eyes traced off to meet something nearby him. On one of the piles laid an arm that looked exactly like Gir's. In hesitation, he walked over there and softly halted before it. He picked it up and let it rest on both of his hands, letting himself analyze it. For certain it was an arm of a SIR unit, looking to have been completely blown off and fried.

He stared at it for a short while. Then looked out to see that out there around the crash site were tons of body parts of a SIR unit. There were just way too many to belong to just one robot. If that is the case...

2K caught up nearby and held on with his knees, panting heavily.

"Yeesh," he said and looked up to him in irritation, "you're nearly worse than me-"

His irritation soften when he noticed how stiff the other Zim's body looked. He also seems to be holding a robotic arm as he was looking out at something. He appears to start being aware on what he might be looking at. The smeet's body straightened and he casually walked over next to him and glancing at him for a moment. He then looked out to what he was seeing.

They both quietly stared out for maybe several seconds. The smeet finally spoke out,

"I told you that you would regret coming here."

2002 looked about.

"...What happened to them?"

"I told you already," he softly shrugged, "When all the Zims, including me, entered this void, the Zapper fried them all to death."

He made a pause before glancing back at him.

"You really don't remember it?"

2002 silently stood. He finally let the memory fully flood back into his mind. The spasm his robot's body made before he burst into pieces. The disbelief and horror he felt to the point that he didn't realize the ship was plummeting to the ground. All these times, he was trying to wipe that memory from existence. And once he felt the memory become clear and real, he felt it flood across his body to the point where he nearly lost the will to stand, his chest growing heavy from the burden. The older Zim looked at 2K, still looking as though he couldn't believe all of this. But after he didn't say anything else, he can read that the baby was still waiting for answer. His eyebrows furrowed and look down.

"I do remember seeing my Gir blow up the moment my ship hit the Zapper and I shortly after lost consciousness. I just thought...that maybe I just imagined that sight."

"Mmm. Makes sense," the small one replied, still looking out at the area. 2002 then softly glanced back at him. Then reading his mind, he asked,

"Did you try finding your Gir when you got here?"

"Uh-Huh."

"Were you able to find him?"

"...Yyyyyuup."

"And...found him...?"

2K this time stayed quiet for a long while. But finally, he answered with a very soft nod. There was something about that response that made the other irken's heart feel heavy with emotion, but he can't seem to fully understand it, yet he refuse to take his eyes off the smeet.

"Doesn't matter though," the child spoke again as he sat down by the edge of the pile, "not like I cared for that piece of junk anyways."

"Eh," the older one softly shrugged, "me too."

He walked over and sat next to him,

"Always getting my house dirty, screaming while I'm working, always blowing up my scheme, watching those...stupid Angry Starfish Show. And...screwing up..."

He fell silent. It was finally then that these heavy emotions were becoming too much to bear. 2K starts to hear him choke up, causing him to look back at him. He can see the look on his expression. A face that looked as if he was trying to fight in order to hide the tearful expression. His chest quivered due to his breath shuddering. He looked down at ground, hugging his knees and clutching them.

"I hated him so much."

2K frowned more, gazing at him quietly for a long time. He softly glanced about to make sure no one was looking before looking back at him. He was very hesitant, but started to reach out his small hand out. There were moments where he wanted to pull his hand away, but he finally got the guts to rest his hand on the fish hybrid's arm, given he was too small for his hand to reach up to his shoulder, rubbing and patting it in a comforting manner. 2002 shuddering breath soften by this comforting sensation and looked to see what the smeet was doing. He silently gazed in confusion.

"...What are you doing?"

2K flinched a bit.

"Uh. Nothing," he quickly pulled away, "just thought of cheering you up. But just pretend that didn't happen and if you tell anybody this-"

"No no!" He stopped him, "it's fine, don't worry. I guess if anything, I did started to feel a little better," he warmly smiled a bit. "Thank you."

2K hesitated a bit. Then he looked away, attempting to give a nonchalant expression.

"Pfft, nah. It was nothing. I only did it so you would stop acting like an idiotic baby."

"Your a baby," he teasingly smirked.

"I said it was nothing, now quiet before I try to yank one of your large shark teeth out!"

"You can't even get through my bowl."

"Shut it!"

2002's soft laughter eased the heavy burden, sniffling a bit and feeling the instinct to rub his eyes despite knowing his bowl will just get in the way. He then sighs a bit, looking out at the Zapper's location site, his smile having to wear away everytime he has to keep seeing tons of his alternate selves' body parts scattered through the ground.

"...There really isn't any way to get home, isn't there. There isn't any required materials nearby?"

2K shook his head,

"The guards always take whatever parts are still useful on the voot cruisers and use them for...well something. I won't be surprised if Number 1 is ordering the guards to bring them so he can keep building his 'conquered world'. Shouldn't he be more concerned about continuing to conquering his own world? That Zim must be out of his mind."

"...Yeah. It is strange," 2002 murmured. 2K turned to notice that the fish Irken was still saddened. After few seconds of silence, the Irken hybrid lets himself bury beneath his arms and knees.

"What am I going to do?"

2K blinked but narrow.

"Well obviously you can't give up. Like we said earlier!" 2002 watches the smeet stand up, "There has to be a way to get out of here! Number 1 is the Zim that was able to destroy his Dib and conquer his Urth, right? If he was able to solve that, then he should be solving on how to get us all out of here! Maybe he just doesn't want to figure it out so he can keep ruling over this world!"

"But why?"

"I don't know, but who even cares about it now," he crossed his arms, "what matters is that we have to stop him. It's just like you and the Elder said. If we're going to find a way out of here, every single one of us need to band together!"

2002 thought of this. He gazed at the Zapper, it's green light glowing brightly no matter how far it is. Bright enough to show all the ships that have crashed and been destroyed. Bright enough to show all the dead Girs lying about on the ground. Who would do something like this? Where did that Zapper come from? Why does the Zimvoid exist? It was a mystery that kept making everyone scratch their heads. But at this point, there was no longer a care of how it all began. Only how to escape. How to get back home. How to get back to the base so he can rebuild his Gir. And to continue his old life. He felt the weight grow a bit lighter.

"You're right."

2K gazed at him and then softly smiled. His eyes then traced to his collar, the light of the Zapper helping him see his number again:

2|0|0|2

It was a unique kind of number. Not exactly unique as his, of course. But it was kind of funny. Noticing it now, if he can just imagine...

2K suddenly blinked in realization. He snorted and made a hidden laughter. 2002 turned to notice him laughing, causing him to frown a bit in confusion.

"What's so funny?"

"No no, it's just something I noticed," the smeet said and pointed at his number. "Your first and last digit. If you switch them, your number will be exactly the same."

The older one looked down at his collar to notice this.

"Huh," his fingers rested on the number digits, "I never actually thought of it that way."

"Yeah!" 2K chirps out, "isn't that neat? It would kind of make your number a...palindrome."

It was that moment while he said this that it an idea clicked.

"Palindrome...hey!" He looks back at the other Zim, "wouldn't it be cool if I called you Palindrome?"

2002 looked at him blankly,

"Palindrome?"

"Yeah!" The smeet smiles, "I mean think about it! Your name will be based off a number just like me! It's uncommon but unique! And sure, it may sound pretty long, but there can also be a shorter nickname for it that sounds cool too!"

2002 raised his eyebrow.

"What makes the shorter version sound cool?"

It was that moment that 2K made a long beat of a pause.

"Uh...well..." he started rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. 2002 waited for his answer. But soon after, he looked back at the fish Irken,

"I just also noticed that...if leave out the first three letters of that word...it means 'Pal'."

2002 sat still, his eyes looking a bit wider than it was before. He didn't know why, but the answer to the second reason flooded his heart with warmth. 2K noticed the sudden change of his expression.

"But it has NOTHING to do with me seeing you as a friend! Just thought it might suit you better, that's all. But hey, if you don't like that name, I can still think of something else."

2002 eyes traced down at the ground, thinking about it. He looked back at him.

"I kind of like it."

"Alright alright fine," 2K said in a bit of annoyance for a short while. "Yeesh, you really are picky when it comes to names-Wait what?"

"Yeah," he shrugged a bit, "I actually kind of like it. It's much better than Sam, Merlin, and who knows what else you called me."

He glances down again, letting that name go deep through his mind and chest again that causes him to warmly smile.

"Palindrome. I think I can stick to that one."

2K looked at him and then soon after let out a huge smile.

"Well I'm glad you like it!" He chirped out again, "I told you that I am the best at giving names!"

"Did you ever say that?"

"Who knows, who cares, but hey! You were actually able to accept one of my name suggestions! That shows how incredible I really am!"

"I...don't think it works that way."

"Well in my book, it does!" He narrows and presses his fists on his hips, "no more further questions on it!"

The fish Irken, who is now nicknamed by Palindrome, laughed a bit and playfully but carefully punched him by the shoulder,

"Hey, you know a lot about your timeline. No one else."

2K laughed back and rubbed his own shoulder,

"Ow. Ok, well at least you understand the ways of my people. Much better than my Dib."

"Heheh! You know one of these days, you should tell me what your Dib is like."

"He's not that interesting, really. All he does is tear everything up with his pathetically muscular body."

"Ugh," Palindrome rolled his eyes, "well at least you don't have a Dib that has laser eye implants. Seriously, the moment he got them, he is just more annoying than ever. Not more difficult to handle of course."

"Well obviously," 2K stated and looks out, "sheesh. Dibs are stupid."

"You can say that again," he looks out to the Zapper again as well, his smile still softly showing. While doing so, he thought back to what the Elder offered him earlier. His smile softly faded.

"Hey 2K."

"Yeah?"

"I was Uh...thinking about the offer the Elder gave me earlier. Do I still have the time to change my answer? About joining the Resistance and becoming your partner?"

2K shrugged,

"I never overheard him say anything about him saying afterwards that it was your final answer."

"Ok, good. But before I decide to change my answer, let me ask you something," he turns to the smeet, "do you really want to be my partner?"

The smaller one twiddled his feet,

"I said my answer earlier and honestly, that answer hasnt changed too much? I'm still hesitant on needing someone to back me up. But after how you have treated me since we first met. You don't seem to babysit me around and look down upon me. Usually when I think of partnering with someone, it sounds more like someone trying to shield you most of the time. But the fact you trusted my strength back then when fighting those inferior Zims. I don't think anyone has done that towards me before so...I don't. Maybe it's time I can give it a shot."

He looks up at him,

"So if I need to make my answer basic, then yes."

Palindrome smiles and nods.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep trusting your skills. And if I do end up acting protective, you have all the right to knock some sense into me. As long as your actions aren't too ridiculously reckless."

"Mmm, sounds fair enough. And we will stick together until we find a way back home. We will finally not see each other's less superior faces ever again!"

"That's right," he nodded, "and you still owe me the sandwich."

2K blinked, having almost forgotten the previous deal, but smile,

"Yes. I still owe you the sandwich."

"So we have a deal?" Palindrome smiles more and lets his hand out.