Good Fortune

Chapter 1 – The Festival

The annual festival had finally arrived in Dib's neighborhood. Kids were running around, having adrenaline rushes from all of the sweets they had eaten as their tired parents tried to keep up with them. There were several games, rides, and other fun attractions that drew in the attentions of many once every year.

Though… Dib seem to be one of those having fun. He walked through the center of the festival with his sister, Gaz. Like every year, his father had promised to join him for the festival, but was caught up in the lab and wasn't able to make it. Dib and Gaz were used to this already, and just made the most of it.

Though, Dib wasn't having any fun. There was a lot on his mind and his sister wasn't helping. She was so engrossed in her games and some of the festivities, that she paid Dib no mind when he even attempted to talk to her. Dib simply wanted to release what he was thinking about to someone.

"Do you know what I mean?" Dib asked.

"If what you mean is that you're going to leave me alone, then yes, I know what you mean," Gaz said.

Dib sighed. "I'm just saying that Zim has been acting… strange lately. He hasn't tried to invade the Earth, he hasn't come up with some diabolical plot, or any of that. In fact, all he did was come to school and just sat there silently. He even answered one of Ms. Bitters' questions correctly. It must mean something, Gaz."

"Yes, it does mean something," Gaz said, as she looked at Dib.

"Really?" Dib asked, getting excited. "So you see it too?"

"No, Dib," Gaz said before returning her gaze to the ground. "Honestly, you have to give it a rest. Zim's been here for 2 years now and he hasn't destroyed the Earth. What does that say to you?"

"Uh…."

"Exactly," Gaz said. "You don't even know." She walked off and went to one of the tents. She wanted to get away from the huge crowds of children, but in this environment, there was no stopping them.

Dib sighed and decided to go his own way. He walked forward, his gaze slowly lowering to the ground. He continued to collect his thoughts until eventually, he ran into someone. Someone he didn't expect to run at the festival.

"Oof. Hey watch where you're going, you filthy human!" a familiar voice exclaimed.

Dib looked up and saw the alien that had been 'invading' his thoughts. "Sorry."

Zim looked to see who he bumped into. "Oh, it's you, Dib-human," he said as he put his hands on his hips. "What do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, sarcastically.

"Very funny," Dib said. "And I should be asking you the same question. I figured you would hate a place like this where there's a bunch of crowds with screaming children. There's so many people around that can discover your… secret identity."

"Don't be stupid, Dib," Zim said. "As you should know by now, I am a master of disguise. Because I am Zim!" He brought his hands together, but then he realized that he was yelling in public. "Also, many humans in one spot only makes it easier for me to eliminate them all at once."

Dib rolled his eyes. "Alright, cut the act. I know that you're not here to do any invading business or anything like that."

Zim paused. "Of course I am," Zim exclaimed. "Why would you ever consider the fact that Zim isn't continuing his mission at a prime opportunity?"

Dib chuckled. "Because I think I'd know you by now. Your clothes are tattered, your PAK isn't even calibrated, and I think your left antenna is crooked. Highly unprepared for a day of invading, don't you think?"

Zim coughed, slightly embarrassed. "Yes, well um… it's just a clever distraction. I got you, didn't I?"

Dib gave Zim a sly smile. "No, try again."

"Uh… I…"

"Can't think of anything, can you?" Dib asked, smirking.

"Don't be smart with me, stupid human. I am Zim. Almighty invader. I will not be talked to like that."

"Oh yeah?" Dib asked. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I am going to…" Zim thought, then he scanned the area. "I am going to go over to that stand and discover what that pink and blue puffy stuff is, then I'll pummel you. I'll show no mercy." Zim then walked over to the cotton candy stand.

Dib laughed. "Yeah, I'd like to see you try." He then went in his own direction, leaving Zim be for a bit. If there was something that he had to admit to himself, it was that his interactions with Zim were something that gave his life a bit of meaning. It's been over 2 years, and Zim and Dib created a form of… relationship. Zim threatens to destroy Dib, Dib blocks plan. Do it again the next day.

Though, as of late, those interactions seemed to mean a bit more to Dib. He didn't know why, but THESE were the thoughts that had been clogging his mind. Not of Zim lazily doing his job as an invader, but of his subtle friendship with him. It was beginning to bug him, and he didn't know what he could do about it.

He walked forward a bit more until he ended up at a tall and multi-colored tent. Most of the tents were made to stand out, but this one seemed to stand more than they all did. Every color of the rainbow was represented rather than just a few, and this one was taller and wider. Dib looked to the sign and it said 'Fortune Teller'.

Dib looked around at the other festivities. All of the games and rides seemed to have full lines, and half of them, he didn't even show any interest in them. He then returned his gaze to the Fortune Teller tent, which was perfectly empty and was practically drawing him in.

He shrugged his shoulders and slowly entered. The space inside wasn't all that large when it came to walking room. Though, it was enough for Dib and the fortune teller to fit comfortably.

"Ah, I've been expecting you, Dib," the fortune teller said. She was an older white human. Her hair was long and it was completely grey. Her idle look seemed somewhat angry, but she had a sweet and tender smile.

"You've been expecting me? H-how do you know my name?" Dib asked. He never had someone expect him before.

"Yes. My fortune has told me that I would be seeing you, Dib Membrane, in my tent on this very day. Looking at you now, I can already sense you have a scramble of thoughts deep inside of you."

Dib forced himself to not roll his eyes. He figured she was just making this up just so that he would believe the fortunes were real. Though, he still was skeptical about the fact that she knew his name. "Okay," he said as he sat down in front of the fortune teller's table. It had everything a generic fortune teller would have: a crystal ball, tarot cards, things like that. "So… can you tell me a fortune?"

"Yes, but you need to tell me what fortune I can give you," the fortune teller said, her smile fading. She paused for a moment. "Though, I need you to do something for me."

"What is that?" Dib asked.

"I need you to promise me that you will tell no lies. Neither to me, nor to yourself."

"Why would I lie to myself?"

The fortune teller blinked and leaned a bit closer to Dib. "Many humans much like yourself hide from the truth as if it is a form of plague. You must reveal to yourself that the truth is not a scary thing and is something that you have to live with, whether it is good or bad."

"Oh," Dib said. He felt a bit weird being told a statement like this, but he knew what she meant. A lot of people do hide from the truth. "I promise I will not lie to either of us."

"Good. So, you would like your fortune told to you?"

Dib nodded. "Yes, I would. That is what you're here for, right?"

"Yes, I am here to speak on behalf of the spirits," she said in a wispy voice. "But first you must tell them what fortune you want to hear."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about." The fortune teller placed her hands on Dib's left hand, causing him to flinch. "I can tell that you have a lot of negative aura brewing up inside of you. The spirits are telling me that you are uncertain about something important. Or…" she paused for a moment. "SomeONE important. Perhaps a friend… or a loved one. A friend with unusual intentions."

This then brought images into Dib's mind. A friend. Like Zim. Though he stored the thoughts again.

The fortune teller opened her eyes and looked into Dib's eyes, almost as if she could read his thoughts. "Ah, yes. It is uncertainty about a friend. Dib Membrane… do you know what you need to ask the spirits?"

Dib didn't even need to think. He knew exactly what he wanted to ask. He nodded and said, "Yeah. I do now." Dib looked down and then up into the tall tent. "I've been thinking about someone a lot lately, and he can't seem to get out of my head. And… I think I'm developing feelings for this person… special feelings. And… I'm not sure if he has feelings for me. Zim has been a better part of my lives for a couple of years, and I don't know what I would do without him." Dib looked at the fortune teller. She was smiling again.

"The spirits are smiling at you, Dib Membrane. They see the good in your soul." The fortune teller bent over and looked under her table. She rummaged through the many things that she had stored in the tent until she eventually revealed a large jug. It was brown with several purple lines on it. "In order to truly see the light of your fortune, then you must drink from this jug."

Dib leaned a little bit back, avoiding the jug as she practically forced it on him. "I'm not sure if I feel comfortable about drinking something that I don't know what it is."

"Trust is a funny thing, Dib Membrane," she said quickly. "However, if you don't drink from this jug, then you will continue to live in the shadows of confusion and your spirit will show eternal holes. If you would like to see the answer to your fortune and bring good fortune to your life, then I urge you to drink."

Dib hesitated for a moment. He didn't believe that the woman would ever give him something that would harm him, but he wasn't sure if this was all a trick. Though, curiosity was beginning to burn through him, and he almost couldn't stand the thought of not knowing.

He grabbed the jug from the woman and, with a bit of courage, took a few sips before handing it back.

"Good, you've made a good choice, Dib Membrane," she said, sustaining her smile.

"What do we do now?" Dib asked as he got over how bitter the drink was. It tasted a little like wine, but it was less fruity and more sour.

"Only time will tell. Wait until the end of this experience and you will see the happy ending that you've been looking for."

"What does that mean?"

"Only time will tell," she repeated.

That's when Dib felt it. His entire body, little by little began feeling a little strange. First, his stomach became a little queasy, and his head then began to feel heavy. Then he felt his motor skills were shutting down.

"W-what did you do to me?" Dib asked with the little energy that he had left. He was beginning to lean onto the table in front of him. Everything was becoming incredibly foggy and he almost couldn't hear the last statement from the fortune teller before he passed out.

"Only time will tell."