Author's Note: Wow, it's been ages since I last updated this story! More might be added to this chapter in the future; but for now, enjoy!

"How is he, Doctor Teb?"

"Well, Zim , he's still unconscious, but I don't think he's lost too much blood. He should be okay. It's a good thing you got him here when you did, though. I don't think he could have taken another minute in that ash-filled air."

"What about Tallest Red?"

"I just don't know, Zim. I heard Doctor Skrat say he's probably gone too long without his PAK to recover entirely. He's still on life support, but we're getting ready to re-install his PAK into him. After that, all we can do is wait..."

Tark tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids refused to budge. Judging by the strange but familiar sounds and smells around him, he immediately guessed he was in the Massive's infirmary. That meant he and Zim had managed to escape from Igneosa before the entire planet was flooded with lava.

But what about the others? the young Irken wondered. Did they escape, too? Are they alright? What's going to happen to Dad? And what became of Captain Vash...?

"Prince Tarquin?"

Tark turned his head toward the gentle voice that spoke to him. As his eyelids slowly parted, he could make out a pale blue and green blur surrounded by white. He blinked several times to clear the cloudiness from his eyes, then he carefully studied his surroundings. He was, indeed, in a recovery room in the Massive's infirmary, lying on a cold, stiff mattress and wearing a grey hospital gown. Standing next to him was Dr. Teb, one of the physicians who worked in the Massive's infirmary. She was wearing baby-blue scrubs and carrying a tray which held a steaming bowl of soup.

"Ah, you're awake," she said cheerfully. She carefully placed the tray on the desk next to Tark's bed and chuckled. "You gave us quite a scare there, young man," the red-eyed Irken female scolded gently, wagging a finger at her patient. "Your poor mother was frightened into hysterics over you."

Tark yawned and leaned back on the soft, lumpy pillow tucked beneath his head.

"What happened?" he asked. "Where are the others? Are they okay?"

"Your brother and sisters are waiting in the main lounge with your mother," Teb replied. "Princess Sheen and her parents are there as well, and Zim is back in his cell, under Guardsman Toff's supervision." A sympathetic expression crossed her face. "Your father..."

Tark sucked in his breath, bracing himself for the news he was sure he was about to receive.

"He's dead, isn't he?"

Teb shook her head.

"Actually, he's alive, but he's still in surgery. Doctor Skrat is installing his PAK back into him right now." She took a deep breath before continuing. "However, because he went for so long without it, his health may be seriously affected. He may even have to give up his position as Tallest if the job becomes too stressful for him."

Tark felt a wave of indignation rush through him. His father, Almighty Tallest Red, give up his position as leader of the Irken Empire? Just the mere thought of it was enough to make him sick!

"He can't do that!" the young Irken prince croaked. "He just can't! He has to get better!"

Teb placed her hand on Tark's shoulder and patted it gently.

"We're doing everything we can for him, my prince," she said. "But only time will tell if he will ever recover completely from this ordeal." She stood up and walked toward the door. "Now just settle down and get some rest. I'll be back to check on you in a couple of hours."

As Teb left the room, Tark rolled over in his bed and pulled the thin, scratchy blanket over himself. A tear slid down his cheek and dropped on to the sheets of his bed. He was relieved that his siblings and Sheen were okay, but he was worried for his father. Would his health ever be the same? Would he really have to give up his position as Tallest? How could he stand such an indignity? The troublesome thoughts swam through Tark's mind as he drifted back to sleep.

Aiko pressed herself into the soft cushions of the couch on which she sat with her mother. She was tired, but she didn't dare close her eyes. The events of the last several hours still remained fresh in her mind, and she feared that if she fell asleep, she would have a nightmare. A service drone had placed snacks on the coffe table before the couch, but the young Irken princess wasn't hungry. All she wanted was to just forget about Death Tide and her family's close brush with death.

Ven, equally exhausted from the terrifying events of the day, rubbed his eyes as he fought to stay awake. His arms still ached from the rough treatment he'd received from Vash and her henchmen, but he paid little attention. His gaze drifted around the room until they rested on the three smeets, who were curled up between Gem and Purple, sleeping peacefully. He wished he could just forget everything that had happened that day, but the memory of Vash and her cruel smile refused to leave his mind.

"Mom...what time is it?" he mumbled.

"It's almost eight, honey," Azka replied. She wrapped her arm around her son and gently pulled him close to her. "Are you tired?"

"Yeah, but I can't sleep." Ven yawned and leaned against his mother for support. "I can't stop thinking about the volcano and the kidnappers and..." He burst into tears and threw his arms around his mother's slender waist. "Mom, it was awful! What if Dad and Tark don't get better? What if...?"

Azka pulled Ven into her lap and wrapped her arms around him in a gentle hug.

"It's going to be okay, little man," she whispered. "Your father and brother will be fine, and that Vash lady can't hurt you anymore."

"I hope so," Ven mumbled as he closed his tired eyes.