A/N:Greetings everyone! This is chapter one! As always, read, review, and enjoy.
(Clarification:Dib is currently 15 years old)
Disclaimer:IZ belongs to JV
The Dib Files Pt. 1
xxxMembrane Household (pre-war)xxx
"Quickly children, into the bunker!"
Low thuds were heard outside as well as a dull roaring that quickly grew louder. A small child wearing a black trenchcoat scrambled into the trap door leading into an underground space, shielded with lead, and steel plating.
"We're going to be okay. We're going to be okay,"He breathed shallowly, clutching his laptop that he had brought into the bunker.
"Wait here!"His father shouted, as the house shook,"I need to get your sister!"
"Wait! Dad, I know where she is. Let me get…"
He was cut off by an earsplitting explosion that knocked him back into the bunker, causing him to black out.
xxx present day xxx
Dib walked out into the empty high skool hallway. His destination, the door at the end of the hall clearly marked Principal's Office.
He entered, and shut the door behind him. The principal finished up his phone call, and smiled.
"Please sit down Dib,"He said, gesturing towards the chair in front of him.
Dib sat down in the proffered chair, and stared at the man in front of him.
"I heard that you were questioning the laws that make up this glorious nation of ours,"The principal said,"They are here to make this world better and more equal. Now I don't want to hear that you've repeated this incident again. Go back to class and think about this for a while."
With that, the principal started to work on some unfinished papers he had before him. Dib stood up and went back to class, his mind focused on something other than the laws of the State.
xxx Current Membrane Household xxx
"I'm home!"Dib called, heaving his school bag onto the floor.
When he got no answer, he went to the small kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. Seeing that it was empty, he reached for the jar that sat next to the toaster, and pulled out a few rubles.
"That should last us a few days,"He muttered, pocketing the money. He pulled out a sticky note and wrote a quick note explaining where he would be, and stuck it to the fridge.
He walked out the door, back out into the baking summer heat. His path took him next to a house, with an occupant he hadn't seen since the war ended.
He deviated from his path and put a hand on the door. Trying the knob, he saw that it was unlocked.
"Hello?"Dib called, his voice uncertain,"Zim?"
Nothing was heard, except the faint dripping off water off in the distance. Dib stepped inside the lair of his former enemy. Looking around, he saw that everything was covered with a small layer of plaster and dust. The couch looked like it had been shredded, and the T.V. had a hole in it.
Dib felt for a light switch. Failing to find one, he pulled out a penlight, and shined it in the kitchen. The table was piled with moldy waffles, and the chairs were scattered, as if someone or something had tried to escape in a hurry.
He suddenly felt cold metal surround his neck.
"You have five seconds to explain yourself,"A familiar voice hissed into his ear.
"Is that you Zim?"Dib asked, incredulously.
He felt the cold metal retract,"Dib?"He heard the voice breath.
"How..how did you survive?"The scyth-haired teen asked, turning to face the small alien.
"How do you think Dib? My superior Irken technology saved me. Unfortunately, the main computer core was destroyed as a result of the strain on the systems,"Zim replied, busying himself with prying open a metal grate large enough for him to get into his lab,"Leave now. I-I have some planning to do."
Dib heard the uncertainty in the Irken's voice, and decided to say something,"You do realize humanity has won. It's over Zim."
"It is over,"The alien said, softly before entering the vent and skittering down to the laboratory.
Dib shook his head, before exiting Zim's base and emerging back onto the sidewalk. He went down the street to the market.
Picking out a few meats and vegetables, he put them on the counter, and handed over the money needed for the produce.
He returned home quickly, as it was getting close to curfew. "I'm home!"He announced upon opening the door. Once again, he received no answer.
Placing all the food he bought in their proper places, he went to his room.
He powered up his laptop, before entering the State-run website advertising orphans and displaced children from the war. He searched the name Gaz in the search bar, but received no results.
He shut off his laptop, leaning back in his chair,"She can't be dead,"He whispered, "I'll find her someday."
He crawled into bed, his daily clothes still on, and fell asleep quickly.
The next morning arrived quickly. Dib was woken by the state-provided alarm clock that never failed to wake him at 6:10 in the morning every day.
Walking downstairs, he was greeted by the sound of the T.V. which was currently displaying the news.
...aided by the Space Force, the search for Mars continues. In other news, a mandatory draft has been enacted by the Head of the Space Force Viktor Kulikov under the jurisdiction of Premier Rudaveshki. All men over the age of 18 must participate as…
Dib smiled at the first part of the newscast, as Zim had sent the red planet hurtling through space. He himself had placed Mercury back in orbit. At the second part of the newscast, his heart sank as he realized that something bad was happening.
Dib sat next to his father, who was staring stonily at his coffee.
"I hope you have a good day at skool son,"Prof. Membrane finally said, after a few seconds of silence.
Dib nodded,"I will dad. I will…"
The last free time until skool was spent in silence. Skool itself passed relatively quickly. The only discrepancy being that Dib's teacher was absent that day as she had a son that was being sent off into space.
"I'm home!"He called, opening the door to his house. Being met with silence as always, he placed his bag next to the door, and went to his room.
He opened up his laptop, and went to the website he usually checked. Getting no results like always, he went to close his laptop, but was interrupted by a notification.
starting download…
finished...
His interest piqued, he opened the file, to find a video message from none other than Zim. He started the message.
Open your earholes Dib, because I will only say this once. I've found a way off this filthy planet, and I, Zim, will graciously allow you accompany me. Obviously, this will come at a price. Come to my base if you are interested.
Dib stared at the screen for a moment, before looking at a picture of his family that was hung on his wall. His gaze drifted to the flag displaying the state symbol just outside his window.
Making up his mind, he gathered his trench coat, his laptop, and his journal. Making his way down to the kitchen, he wrote a quick note to his father explaining where he would be, and departed.
Approaching Zim's base, he nervously opened the door, and entered the dark entryway.
"I'm here Zim!"He called, in the darkness,"Let's talk!"
A pair of red eyes peeled at Dinner from the darkness, a metal claw grabbed him, and guided him over to a broken metal grate in the wall. Climbing into it, Dib crawled until he entered Zim's underground base. The alien himself turned to face Dib with a triumphant grin.
"I see that you've come to take my generous offer."
"Actually,"Dib replied,"I've come to compromise with you."
"I'm afraid not Dib!"Zim announced,"That's the only offer I'm going to make! We'll be away from this filthy dirt ball, and from the Empire!"
"Why the Empire?"Dib asked, confused,"I thought you were going to conquer Earth for it."
"Since when has the Empire done something for me?"Zim snarled, his attitude changing in a split second,"They've mocked me, shamed me for who I am! Well, I'm done being an Invader for them! I'll conquer a planet, and start the Zim Empire!"
Dib took a step back, fearing for his rival's sanity,"Hear me out Zim,"He pleaded,"I need my dad to come with me. He's only one person. Maybe we can-"
"No,"Zim replied, his mood suddenly calm again,"I will not let one human worm destroy my plans for planetary conquest."
"I've done that plenty of times! It's my dad anyway, he's treated you with respect before."
Zim stared down at Dib coldly,"Fine,"He agreed,"I'll do this. For a price. Both of you have to be my slaves in the Empire of Zim."
"That's basically what my situation is now,"Dib protested,"You can't-"
"FREEZE!"
"DON'T MOVE!"
"STAND DOWN ALIEN!"
Dib could only stare in shock, as armored men streamed into the cramped lab through a hole in the ceiling, leveling rifles at the pair.
"You are under arrest for conspiring with an illegal lifeform,"A soldier said, grabbing Dib by the arm.
Zim leveled his Pak lasers at the soldiers, while he slowly walked backwards.
"Alien! You are in direct violation of Code fifteen. Surrender yourself!"
"I'll never surrender to you human dirt-babies!"Zim shrieked, skittering backwards.
"Shock him,"The commanding officer said, motioning towards Zim
A bright ray of light enveloped Zim briefly, before he collapsed.
"H-how?"Dib whispered.
In just a few minutes, his life had gotten much worse than it had. Now all that was left was to see his judgement.
A/N:That's it for Chapter One! Hopefully it wasn't too confusing.
