He paced about on his arachno-legs, thinking. Thinking of yet another failed attempt to rid himself of the hindering annoyance otherwise known as Dib. His battle, he thought, had been going on for 19 long years. Dib's attempts, all failures, had become nothing more than slight annoyances to Zim, but still.
"Still there's the chance of Dib actually raising a resistance against me if given the chance," Zim whispered dangerously to himself. "He has those secret society members of his... now what were they called again?" he bemused as he tapped his gloved finger against his green chin. "Oh yes," he recalled suddenly. "the Swollen Eyeballs... eh heh heh heh heh...," Zim chuckled to himself as he continued his pacing about the underground laboratory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I must stop Zim!" Dib blurted to his sister as he paced their living room. "For the sake of all humanity!" He said pointing his finger up in the air.
"What are you talking about?" Gaz asked sarcastically as she reached for a piece of pepperoni pizza on the little table in front of her. A look of sheer bliss crossed her face as she lifted the steamy slice out of its box. She suddenly came out of it, however, and cast an evil glance at Dib. No way was he taking THIS piece. She took a bite of pizza and simply replied to Dib's ranting.
"He's as much threat to humanity as you are to me. He's too incompetent to take over Earth and raise a powerful empire.
"Hey!" Dib protested his sister's sarcastic comment about his threatening. "I can be threatening toward you! I just choose not to because I... I..." he cut off with a short, nervous laugh as Gaz gave him one of her 'you want to die, now don't you?' looks.
"Like I said," Gaz repeated for Dib's dense head to absorb. "He's no threat to anyone but himself.
Dib didn't expect Gaz to understand. She enjoyed playing with his paranoia. She never believed his wild stories, even when they were little. She was usually absorbed in her Game Slave and did not like to be bothered. She didn't believe him then and he sure as hell didn't expect her to believe him now. They were still brother and sister and were a little closer now that their dad, Professor Membrane, had died. His death was exalted as a tragedy in the world. Now the two of them were all grown up. Done with skool and Miss. Bitters and her incessant 'dooming'. Now he worked for his dad's company and had his same genius mind. He often spent late nights testing new theories and new 'nano technology'. He was obsessed with the micro world and aliens just as Gaz was obsessed with her Game Slave games. She was so obsessed that she became a video game programmer and designed her own line of insane games complete with death and bloody scenes of course.
Dib sighed as he thought back on his dad's death and his takeover for the science world. He walked out of the den and up to his room. It was time for a new plan against Zim.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zim was pleased with himself. It had been one year since his last 'confrontation' with Dib. The poor human had been shot down once again, except this time, there would be no 'tomorrow' for Dib. Dib was locked up forever in Zim's labyrinth of a laboratory, never to be seen by the world again. Dib had threatened Zim with his secret society members.
"They'll come and search for me, Zim! When they see how long I've been gone, they'll come and search for me! Then it's a hop, skip, and a short jump to the autopsy table for you, Zim!"
"It's been three months, Dib. No one will miss you. Not even that pathetic sister of yours, Gaz. She'd make a good soldier for the Irken empire, don't you think?" Zim had replied.
"Damn you, Zim. I'll figure a way out of here. And when I do, I'll make sure that you're destroyed!" Dib shook the thick metal box he was in. His only means of air were the tiny air holes distributed about the box's surface.
That had been nine months ago and since that time, Zim had in fact, proved that he could do something right. It was pure accident that he happened upon Earth, but he had still managed to claim it in his own planet's name. Now Earth was just another Irken territory. The Tallest were afraid and yet utterly amazed that Zim had claimed Earth as his own and in such short time. They were also afraid of his sudden height. He was now qualified as a 'tallest' and not just an 'invader'.
"How did you grow so tall, soldier?" Purple had asked Zim upon his visit to Earth. Zim who was now up to the Tallest's chest, replied:
"It must be something in the Earths' gravitational force, sir."
"I see. You know, Zim. I think it's time we tell you why you were sent here in the first place."
"I was sent here in the name of Irk, sir. I was assigned to this planet to invade and conquer and that is what I have done, sir."
Purple looked at Red and nodded.
"Listen, Zim," Red began. " You were really sent here so we could be rid of you. You destroyed half of our planet in Impending Doom I, so we really didn't want a repeat episode. We sent you here to keep you out of the way. We really didn't expect you to take over Earth."
"Ah yes," Purple interjected." But we see now that time on Earth has done you good, Zim. You've grown and you are no longer incompetent. We are very impressed with you, soldier. You've got the qualities to be a Tallest someday."
Zim forgot his hurt and anger at this and looked up at the Tallest. "Really?"
"Yeah," Purple said as he smiled at Red. "We'd really appreciate it if you stayed here and tried to rule this galaxy. You see, many of our invaders, including you, have succeeded in their missions and so we now have a vast empire. You are now declared as a honorary Tallest and are to keep control of this galaxy. We will send an armada to help you, but you must stay here and inform us of any trouble. Got it, Zim?"
"Yes, my Tallest!" Zim reported back, military style.
"Good. Now we must go help Aza, she's had a bit too much of Musacia. She's attacking the elevators on the home planet and threatening her psychologist with Muzak if he won't declare her as sane. We left Zeta in control, but she won't want that position for too long. The Sirs are driving her insane. Especially M-D. He prefers to chase Zeta around with sharp objects. She's probably on the verge of insanity by now, so we must leave you, soldier. Defend this galaxy and beware the Xyrians. They can be quite nasty at times."
"Yes, sir! I will NOT disappoint you!" Zim answered back as the Tallest boarded Irk One in search of home.
Now here Zim was, in control of everything on this side of the Milky Way. He was happy that the Tallest trusted him this much. He now had built (with humanity's help) and established his own fortress and several colonies on other planets. The humans didn't seem to mind as Zim was a generous leader. Of course, he HAD brainwashed them with one of his 'inventions'. He now owned several solar systems as well as the ever popular fast food chain of Mac Meaties spread about the galaxies. Earth was now a small tourist attraction to Irken families seeking relaxation from the stresses of being an invader. Zim smiled now at his amazing accomplishments.
"And best of all..." Zim said quietly to himself. "I have Gaz as a personal assistant and Dib is locked up for an eternity. Bwahahahahahaha..." Zim laughed as he turned about in his 'new' outfit. In fact, he was now dressed in tallest attire, complete with the metal chest piece and bright colors normal to these outfits. Dawning a radiant silver cloak and outfit, he turned to his assistant.
"Human!"
Gaz rushed in, not wanting to anger Zim. The alien could be psychotic if not deadly when angered. "Yes, sir!" She raised her hand to salute.
"I've a job for you, human." Zim replied, waving his hand about in circles. " I want you to go see how the test subjects are doing. Make sure they are in order and properly fed. I might need them as a peace offering to the Xyrian leader, Yrozk," He said maliciously.
"Test subjects, sir?" Gaz asked, not quite understanding this 'test'.
"Yes, Gaz. I believe your brother is among them," Zim replied, an evil grin spanning his face.
"Dib? Dib is among the 'test' subjects?" Gaz said, not believing that her incompetent little brother was still alive. That had been the reason she had taken this job in the first place. Zim had promised her that she could still work on her video game technology when she wasn't busy, but that she had to be his personal assistant. Believing that her brother was already dead, she reluctantly took the job so as to keep her video game sales up.
"Yes, Gaz. Why don't you go see him before I feed him to those slobbering beasts?"
"Yes, sir. I'm on it." Gaz said as she turned heel and headed down into the catacombs beneath the fortress.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been ages since he had seen light, or his sister. He missed her dearly seeing as how she was the only family he had left. The last thing he remembered was being locked in Zim's metal 'bug box' and passing out from malnutrition. Of course he was still alive, but, this wasn't the 'bug box' and this wasn't Zim's laboratory. This, this was much, much worse.
The thin sliver of light that trickled down through the cracked ceiling was not that of natural light, but of a man made lighting product. That was the only light source down here where he was. God, he wished for the warm sunlight. That is, if it still existed. What he could see was very little and frightening. He appeared to be in a jail cell composed of cold steel and concrete. In the center of his cell, stood a cold steel like table equipped with straps and electro shock pads. Outside his cell, he could see others, trapped in cells like his. He was astonished to see who was adjacent to his cell. One of the members from the Swollen Eyeballs lay curled up in her trench coat, whimpering in fear and despair. She looked very weak, from either malnutrition or horrible experimentation or possibly both. She was a terrible sight to look at for him, knowing what she had once been. She was the one who had started him on his obsession and got him into the secret society. He wished he could get out and comfort her, but he knew he'd be unconscious if he did. He noticed that there were phasers aimed with laser lights to shoot escapees. He cried as he watched his friend slowly die. There was nothing he could do for her, but have faith that she would survive. He turned away from her, not being able to bear her any more. He took notice of many other Eyeball members down here. They all looked very tired to him and he turned back to his friend, who was now breathing very shallow and raspy. She slowly turned her head toward him, and he saw her brown eyes, glazed over, stare his direction.
"Dib," she whispered, pointing weakly in his direction.
"Kala?" he asked in surprise.
"Eh heh..." she coughed. "Yes, Dib. You must save Earth." she coughed once more.
"But I'm down here with you! How can I possibly save Earth when I'm in a pit!?" he yelled back, frustrated with himself.
"Look past your stupidity," she managed. "There is always a way out of trouble. You should know that of anyone. Earth must be saved, if not for its people, then its beauty. If not for its beauty, then its purpose and being. It does not matter what the reason is. There is always a reason for its safety. This is the only place humanity can call home, Dib. I tried, and I failed. I ended up here. They experimented with my soul, Dib. I am not whole anymore and therefore I do not exist as a person, but as a memory. You must break free this prison, friend. Or else, you too will know what true pain is like. You're scheduled for a biopsy soon, Dib, so I suggest you hurry." She finished, her breathing raspier than ever.
"Biopsy? I'm not leaving without you, Kala. We'll make it out of here and we'll get you help! Just hold on! You'll be fine! I promise!"
"Heh," she began. " No, Dib. I am not fine, nor will I ever be again. My time has come to say goodbye and you know it. You must continue your work alone, my friend." she said.
"No," Dib protested as tears ran down his cheeks. "You can't leave me."
Kala smiled weakly at Dib and lowered her head so that her hair covered her face. Her eyelids closed and she silently left the world. Now Dib was on his own.
"Still there's the chance of Dib actually raising a resistance against me if given the chance," Zim whispered dangerously to himself. "He has those secret society members of his... now what were they called again?" he bemused as he tapped his gloved finger against his green chin. "Oh yes," he recalled suddenly. "the Swollen Eyeballs... eh heh heh heh heh...," Zim chuckled to himself as he continued his pacing about the underground laboratory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I must stop Zim!" Dib blurted to his sister as he paced their living room. "For the sake of all humanity!" He said pointing his finger up in the air.
"What are you talking about?" Gaz asked sarcastically as she reached for a piece of pepperoni pizza on the little table in front of her. A look of sheer bliss crossed her face as she lifted the steamy slice out of its box. She suddenly came out of it, however, and cast an evil glance at Dib. No way was he taking THIS piece. She took a bite of pizza and simply replied to Dib's ranting.
"He's as much threat to humanity as you are to me. He's too incompetent to take over Earth and raise a powerful empire.
"Hey!" Dib protested his sister's sarcastic comment about his threatening. "I can be threatening toward you! I just choose not to because I... I..." he cut off with a short, nervous laugh as Gaz gave him one of her 'you want to die, now don't you?' looks.
"Like I said," Gaz repeated for Dib's dense head to absorb. "He's no threat to anyone but himself.
Dib didn't expect Gaz to understand. She enjoyed playing with his paranoia. She never believed his wild stories, even when they were little. She was usually absorbed in her Game Slave and did not like to be bothered. She didn't believe him then and he sure as hell didn't expect her to believe him now. They were still brother and sister and were a little closer now that their dad, Professor Membrane, had died. His death was exalted as a tragedy in the world. Now the two of them were all grown up. Done with skool and Miss. Bitters and her incessant 'dooming'. Now he worked for his dad's company and had his same genius mind. He often spent late nights testing new theories and new 'nano technology'. He was obsessed with the micro world and aliens just as Gaz was obsessed with her Game Slave games. She was so obsessed that she became a video game programmer and designed her own line of insane games complete with death and bloody scenes of course.
Dib sighed as he thought back on his dad's death and his takeover for the science world. He walked out of the den and up to his room. It was time for a new plan against Zim.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zim was pleased with himself. It had been one year since his last 'confrontation' with Dib. The poor human had been shot down once again, except this time, there would be no 'tomorrow' for Dib. Dib was locked up forever in Zim's labyrinth of a laboratory, never to be seen by the world again. Dib had threatened Zim with his secret society members.
"They'll come and search for me, Zim! When they see how long I've been gone, they'll come and search for me! Then it's a hop, skip, and a short jump to the autopsy table for you, Zim!"
"It's been three months, Dib. No one will miss you. Not even that pathetic sister of yours, Gaz. She'd make a good soldier for the Irken empire, don't you think?" Zim had replied.
"Damn you, Zim. I'll figure a way out of here. And when I do, I'll make sure that you're destroyed!" Dib shook the thick metal box he was in. His only means of air were the tiny air holes distributed about the box's surface.
That had been nine months ago and since that time, Zim had in fact, proved that he could do something right. It was pure accident that he happened upon Earth, but he had still managed to claim it in his own planet's name. Now Earth was just another Irken territory. The Tallest were afraid and yet utterly amazed that Zim had claimed Earth as his own and in such short time. They were also afraid of his sudden height. He was now qualified as a 'tallest' and not just an 'invader'.
"How did you grow so tall, soldier?" Purple had asked Zim upon his visit to Earth. Zim who was now up to the Tallest's chest, replied:
"It must be something in the Earths' gravitational force, sir."
"I see. You know, Zim. I think it's time we tell you why you were sent here in the first place."
"I was sent here in the name of Irk, sir. I was assigned to this planet to invade and conquer and that is what I have done, sir."
Purple looked at Red and nodded.
"Listen, Zim," Red began. " You were really sent here so we could be rid of you. You destroyed half of our planet in Impending Doom I, so we really didn't want a repeat episode. We sent you here to keep you out of the way. We really didn't expect you to take over Earth."
"Ah yes," Purple interjected." But we see now that time on Earth has done you good, Zim. You've grown and you are no longer incompetent. We are very impressed with you, soldier. You've got the qualities to be a Tallest someday."
Zim forgot his hurt and anger at this and looked up at the Tallest. "Really?"
"Yeah," Purple said as he smiled at Red. "We'd really appreciate it if you stayed here and tried to rule this galaxy. You see, many of our invaders, including you, have succeeded in their missions and so we now have a vast empire. You are now declared as a honorary Tallest and are to keep control of this galaxy. We will send an armada to help you, but you must stay here and inform us of any trouble. Got it, Zim?"
"Yes, my Tallest!" Zim reported back, military style.
"Good. Now we must go help Aza, she's had a bit too much of Musacia. She's attacking the elevators on the home planet and threatening her psychologist with Muzak if he won't declare her as sane. We left Zeta in control, but she won't want that position for too long. The Sirs are driving her insane. Especially M-D. He prefers to chase Zeta around with sharp objects. She's probably on the verge of insanity by now, so we must leave you, soldier. Defend this galaxy and beware the Xyrians. They can be quite nasty at times."
"Yes, sir! I will NOT disappoint you!" Zim answered back as the Tallest boarded Irk One in search of home.
Now here Zim was, in control of everything on this side of the Milky Way. He was happy that the Tallest trusted him this much. He now had built (with humanity's help) and established his own fortress and several colonies on other planets. The humans didn't seem to mind as Zim was a generous leader. Of course, he HAD brainwashed them with one of his 'inventions'. He now owned several solar systems as well as the ever popular fast food chain of Mac Meaties spread about the galaxies. Earth was now a small tourist attraction to Irken families seeking relaxation from the stresses of being an invader. Zim smiled now at his amazing accomplishments.
"And best of all..." Zim said quietly to himself. "I have Gaz as a personal assistant and Dib is locked up for an eternity. Bwahahahahahaha..." Zim laughed as he turned about in his 'new' outfit. In fact, he was now dressed in tallest attire, complete with the metal chest piece and bright colors normal to these outfits. Dawning a radiant silver cloak and outfit, he turned to his assistant.
"Human!"
Gaz rushed in, not wanting to anger Zim. The alien could be psychotic if not deadly when angered. "Yes, sir!" She raised her hand to salute.
"I've a job for you, human." Zim replied, waving his hand about in circles. " I want you to go see how the test subjects are doing. Make sure they are in order and properly fed. I might need them as a peace offering to the Xyrian leader, Yrozk," He said maliciously.
"Test subjects, sir?" Gaz asked, not quite understanding this 'test'.
"Yes, Gaz. I believe your brother is among them," Zim replied, an evil grin spanning his face.
"Dib? Dib is among the 'test' subjects?" Gaz said, not believing that her incompetent little brother was still alive. That had been the reason she had taken this job in the first place. Zim had promised her that she could still work on her video game technology when she wasn't busy, but that she had to be his personal assistant. Believing that her brother was already dead, she reluctantly took the job so as to keep her video game sales up.
"Yes, Gaz. Why don't you go see him before I feed him to those slobbering beasts?"
"Yes, sir. I'm on it." Gaz said as she turned heel and headed down into the catacombs beneath the fortress.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been ages since he had seen light, or his sister. He missed her dearly seeing as how she was the only family he had left. The last thing he remembered was being locked in Zim's metal 'bug box' and passing out from malnutrition. Of course he was still alive, but, this wasn't the 'bug box' and this wasn't Zim's laboratory. This, this was much, much worse.
The thin sliver of light that trickled down through the cracked ceiling was not that of natural light, but of a man made lighting product. That was the only light source down here where he was. God, he wished for the warm sunlight. That is, if it still existed. What he could see was very little and frightening. He appeared to be in a jail cell composed of cold steel and concrete. In the center of his cell, stood a cold steel like table equipped with straps and electro shock pads. Outside his cell, he could see others, trapped in cells like his. He was astonished to see who was adjacent to his cell. One of the members from the Swollen Eyeballs lay curled up in her trench coat, whimpering in fear and despair. She looked very weak, from either malnutrition or horrible experimentation or possibly both. She was a terrible sight to look at for him, knowing what she had once been. She was the one who had started him on his obsession and got him into the secret society. He wished he could get out and comfort her, but he knew he'd be unconscious if he did. He noticed that there were phasers aimed with laser lights to shoot escapees. He cried as he watched his friend slowly die. There was nothing he could do for her, but have faith that she would survive. He turned away from her, not being able to bear her any more. He took notice of many other Eyeball members down here. They all looked very tired to him and he turned back to his friend, who was now breathing very shallow and raspy. She slowly turned her head toward him, and he saw her brown eyes, glazed over, stare his direction.
"Dib," she whispered, pointing weakly in his direction.
"Kala?" he asked in surprise.
"Eh heh..." she coughed. "Yes, Dib. You must save Earth." she coughed once more.
"But I'm down here with you! How can I possibly save Earth when I'm in a pit!?" he yelled back, frustrated with himself.
"Look past your stupidity," she managed. "There is always a way out of trouble. You should know that of anyone. Earth must be saved, if not for its people, then its beauty. If not for its beauty, then its purpose and being. It does not matter what the reason is. There is always a reason for its safety. This is the only place humanity can call home, Dib. I tried, and I failed. I ended up here. They experimented with my soul, Dib. I am not whole anymore and therefore I do not exist as a person, but as a memory. You must break free this prison, friend. Or else, you too will know what true pain is like. You're scheduled for a biopsy soon, Dib, so I suggest you hurry." She finished, her breathing raspier than ever.
"Biopsy? I'm not leaving without you, Kala. We'll make it out of here and we'll get you help! Just hold on! You'll be fine! I promise!"
"Heh," she began. " No, Dib. I am not fine, nor will I ever be again. My time has come to say goodbye and you know it. You must continue your work alone, my friend." she said.
"No," Dib protested as tears ran down his cheeks. "You can't leave me."
Kala smiled weakly at Dib and lowered her head so that her hair covered her face. Her eyelids closed and she silently left the world. Now Dib was on his own.