"This is too dangerous."

       Zim's voice echoed in her ears, causing her to turn around. She maintained perfect balance as she spun herself to face the Irken on the thin, smooth railing of the balcony. She only gazed at him with an unreadable expression, but deep inside, a mixture of emotions swelled up.

      "Ari has been teaching me," Kyt said, "This is nothing."

       She gestured down at the ten story drop. And it truly was nothing for her. At first when, she had been learning to fly and glide, the height had been terrifying, now it was like jumping into a swimming pool. Natural and fun.

    Kyt bit her lip, noticing Zim's expression. Jumping off a potentially deadly fall is not what he had meant.

       "Going back to Earth." He corrected her, and she stared at him dumbly for a moment; then looked down with embarrassment. Of course, he wasn't concerned for her. Not after she had rejected him after all....

      "I'll be fine," She said, meeting his coral hues. But as their eyes met, she already knew he wasn't convinced. Despite her recent training and given ability, he was worried.

      "About the other day," Zim began, tired of the awkward silence. Kyt sucked in a breath, unsure of how well this would blow over. She lifted her head to look at the alien before her only to instantly look away. He was staring at the ground, unsure of what to say.

       "Zim, I'm sorry." She shuffled to him, and he raised a hand to stop her,

      "I love you, Kyt." He said,closing his eyes. When he opened them, there was fire of hatred. But it was evident it was not towards her, "If it is that stupid Dib-human that makes you happy, Zim will accept that. But hear Zim out!"

        "I already did the other day, Zim," Her wings folded, the end feathers crossing behind her back and crossing to reach her elbows. He watched her, his eyes distance as if he were trying to not feel what he felt. "Look... I don't dislike you..."

       She gave a brief pause, feeling herself become flustered. She had never dealt with something like this in her life; having always been ignored. Yes, she and Zim had a bond. They had irked eachother from the very start, but there was an underlying friendship... And possibly deeper. Kyt had to let it out, rather than let is simmer inside of her. 

      "I... We may have feelings for the other. And I don't really understand what they are based off, but Dib came first. He came to me first. I like him a lot."

       Zim moved closer to her, his eyes becoming less distant. "You like Zim?"

      "Yes! I like you!" She snapped, irritated that he hadn't payed attention, "But Dib got to me first! This... All of this is too late. I can't like you anymore. Do you get that?"

        "But you like Zim," He stated bluntly, as if this gave him an ounce of power over her. He reached a hand up to her chin, curling his clawed fingers around it. He tipped her face up to look at it closer. "That Dib-worm is undeserving."

        Kyt felt the energy leave her body, although her mind was thinking to shove him away; she remained frozen as he pulled her closer to him. One couldn't hurt anything could it? It possibly couldn't...

       Neither got an answer with the rapid clashing just outside of the door. The two pulled away just as someone came bursting through; Kyt became stiff and Zim glowered as Tak with Bitters marched into the room. Tak smiled deviously, "There you are."

        As she stepped towards them, Bitters followed, and two others emerged into the room. Kyt felt her body thaw and animate, her wings unfurling slowly. They stayed low, hovering close to the ground. From the Paks of the two Irken soldiers, six long, metallic legs shot out, raising them above the ground; they scuttled over to them as two long arms came out. They took hold of the angelic girl, forcing her wings to fold against her body in awkward angles and their own kin, who struggled.

       "Tak? What are you doing?!" He hissed, trying to break away. The smirk remained on her face as she signaled for her minions to follow her, not acknowledging Zim's anger or Kyt's attempt and summoning any sort of flame. All that came from her was a pathetic simmer.

         "For someone born with such greatness, you are pathetic," Tak chuckled without having to look back at the girl. They were led around the castle to the throne room; the dias on which the Halönian king had once stood, empowered and unstoppable. Kyt remembered running in and out of this room to say simple things to her father every chance she had gotten. The throne was now barren and a pile of the snowy sand had accumulated on the seat.

       In front of the dias were Gir, Gaz, and Ari were being held in a similar fashion as the two who had just brought in. Dib was more off to the side, looking dazed; pale. Kyt stared in silence as blood trickled from his lip and his shirt was soaked at the side. His breathing was slow and painful from the expression on his face. She opened her mouth to say something to him, but found herself cut off.

       "Why are you here?" Zim growled louder, repeating his question.

      "Simply taking back what is mine," Tak responded, placing a hand on Kyt's hand. Shivers erupted from the girl. She took slow deliberate steps around them all. "She is, in a way, my creation. If not for me, she would not have graced you with her presence."

       "Lies!" Zim cried out, then shrunk back when Tak's laughing eyes met his. She moved close to him, the laughter bubbling inside of her. "Is that so? Tell them Zim, then."

        Zim puffed up his chest as he took a breath, staring her in the eyes; an act of defiance. Tak scoffed, waving a hand to Bitters, "Kill them all."

        The hand she waved was immediately at Zim's neck, her claws breaking his flesh casually. Zim's eyes transformed into wide orbs at her order; the pain not even a bother. Tak giggled causing Bitters to stop her approach towards Gaz, "I thought so."

       She grabbed the collar of his suit- the Irken's robot arm releasing him- and she threw him to the center. He stumbled, but used the momentum to fling his body around, his curled hand flying to her face; then stopped by two of her spindly metallic legs crossed over her. The pushed him back onto the floor, pinning him down. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

       Zim stared up at her, unable to fight. He clenched his teeth, and tilted his head back to have a view of the others. Primarily, Kyt. Hesitantly, he whispered.

      "It's my fault."