Another One Bites the Dust

Zim stood rigid in salute, his antennae perked and his back perfectly perpendicular to the floor. Zim couldn't remember a time when the Almighty Tallest had contacted him first. It was usually Zim who constantly updated the Tallest on his extremely important "mission". It was considered an honor for the Tallest to contact you. He remembered the Tallest came to Devastis to examine to newest recruits to the Irken Elite.

Every Irken lined up, posture perfect, heads held high, hoping that the Tallests' gaze might rest on them for more than a measly second. What a truly invigorating day that had been, to Zim, and all the other soldiers eager to please the Tallests. It was the first time after his work as a scientist on Vort that Zim had been allowed within five feet of the Tallests.

The circular orbs of the Tallests appeared on the screen, accompanied by the scrawny armored bodies that they belonged to. Red had always been known as the true Almighty Tallest. He wasn't as smart as Myuki, or as tactical as Spork, who had both been swallowed up by the consequences of Zim's idiocy. He was definitely better than Purple though. It was thought that Purple was only kept around because he was Red's best companion.

Irkens don't really have friends though, only allies. Technically in Irken tradition, if two Irkens are both the Tallest, one can challenge to other to a fight and whoever kills the other is the Tallest. Even though it was clear Red wasn't a defect, the only plausible reason for him tolerating a nuisance like Purple was some form of sentimental value.

"Invader Zim, reporting for duty my Almighty Tallests."

"Ah yes Zim, our favorite idio- I mean soldier, we have a very deadl- I mean…. Interesting offer for you." Red began, hoping that Zim could be fooled into a suicide mission twice.

"Yeah Zim, you're gonna love this!" Purple exclaimed in the background, throwing his hands up and hitting the servant that had brought him donuts.

The servant fell to the floor with an oof then yelled "I'm okay!"

"Please tell Zim so that I might please you my Almighty Tallests." Zim replied eagerly. He was willing to do just about anything to win the Tallests' favor.

"Well, as you know, every 20 years the United Civilizations of Galactic Conquest, also known as the UCGC, host the Galairic Games in which the 10 races, plus the wild card planet send in 4 members of their race to fight to the death." Red explained as Purple winced at the "fighting to the death part."

"Yes, please continue my Tallest." Zim said.

"As you know, this is a very honorable position, one that has to be chosen carefully. Only the strongest, smartest, and most superior examples of the Irken race can be selected." Red said, making sure to smother the description with good things. It was like offering a horrible job to someone, you had to use finesse.

"No disrespect to you or the Galairic games, but Zim always understood that the Galairic Games were a death sentence."

"Oh no, they're extremely easy to win. Anyways, we gave it a lot of thought, and the only Irken worthy of fighting for Irk AND making their Almighty Tallest proud would be you Zim." Red said, forcing a smile.

"Yeah, plus it'll be fun to watch you be slaughtered." Purple muttered off-handedly.

"SHHHH." Red rasped, elbowing his co-tallest.

"I would be honored to represent Irk in the games, no one but Zim is worthy of such a job, but what about my mission?" Zim asked, genuinely concerned about his absence.

"Don't worry Zim, the longest the games have ever lasted was two weeks, you'll be teleported to Galairia on Monday and the games start on Saturday, so the longest you'll be gone is three weeks." Red replied.

"I have a teleport?" Zim questioned.

Red sighed "Yes Zim, every Irken base is equipped with a long range teleport, honestly, what kind of Invader doesn't know his own base?

"Oh yes, I was just… testing you! That was all my Tallests!" Zim said nervously.

"So will you play in the games or not?" Purple asked.

"Of course, for the Irken Empire!" Zim shouted as he saluted.

"Great, we'll send you a transmission before we establish your teleport with coordinates!" Red said, smiling a little too much.

"Yes my Tallests, but what if-"

"No time for that, BYE ZIM!" Red said as he giddily cut the transmission, finally rid of Zim, both a nuisance AND a threat to his position.

Zim sighed, his rigid body relaxing. He would win these games, for Irk, there was no way he couldn't. After that he would become a hero and bring the Armada to Earth to destroy it. He could taste his victory already.

"Computer, start preparing to go into lock down mode alpha on Monday. No filthy pig beast is getting into Zim's base while I'm gone."

As Zim stepped into the elevator and climbed the see-through cylinder shaft he stared into his bare pink orbs. Could he do this? Of course he could, he was the Almighty Zim! What if he didn't? What if he never came back? That was nonsense. Doubt is a weakness, Zim told himself. Weakness is the enemy. The enemy must be eliminated.

When Zim reached the ground level his thoughts were still on eliminating weakness. That was the only way to survive the games, as he had learned from watching the games when he was a smeet. Zim could vividly remember the strangled cries for help as an Irken girl fought against a fully grown male Azrakian, who tend to be muscular and brutal.

He could remember her losing all sense of honor and respect for the Irken race as she realized this was where her life ended. That was what weakness was, an infection, a disease that strikes it's hardest when the end is near. Only the strong can survive its blow. Zim promised himself he would be strong, and even if the end came, he would not succumb.

After that series of dark and depressing thoughts Zim felt he was in need of some cheering up. He settled on the couch with his favorite Irken snack, wary of a snoring GIR who was snuggling with a pile of ground beef.

"I didn't even know SIRs had a snoring function." Zim said, perplexed yet again by his "advanced" robot.

Zim presumed he would have to shut GIR down during his absence, which made Zim a little uncomfortable. The thought of GIR's bright blue eyes turning into a dull lifeless gray as his body was left to collect dust felt wrong. Not that Zim liked GIR, he would never admit to that, he just thought that no creature should have the ability to switch a sentient creature off.

"Computer" Zim whispered, hoping not to wake up GIR.

"Yes" The computer replied as it started viciously coughing.

So you have a coughing function, but no whispering function, Zim thought as GIR stirred slightly whispering "tacos".

"If you don't hear anything from me, or I don't return in a month, reactivate GIR, but not the rest of the things shut down by lock down alpha. If you don't hear from me in two months, or someone gets into the base, go into self- destruct mode."

"Yes Master."

"What no witty remark or whining?" Zim asked.

The computer did not reply, simply because its databases found no words to describe the pity it felt for the cold Irken.

Zim stared at GIR as he snored, loosing himself in thought.

XxxxX

I slammed the stall door shut and felt the stall's walls vibrate. The space was small, but I was too upset to care. I didn't care about going to class or getting detention, I would just skip it anyways. I pulled up my sleeve, staring in hatred at the ugly black marks. Why here? Why now? As if my life wasn't already torture.

I didn't even know what I was being forced into! I sat on the toilet, pulling my knees to my chest and burying my head into my arms. I stayed like this for a while, the feelings of anger and fear coursing through me. Was this even real? Maybe I was dreaming.

My head throbbed and I decided to shut out the world, thinking about what to do. Maybe I could shut myself it dad's lab. I shivered as I remembered the aliens breaking down a three feet thick steel door. If that wasn't safe, nowhere was. I continued to lament my predicament until I heard voices, to be precise, snobby one.

"Oh my gosh! It REALLY hurts guys! I have no idea what it is!" I heard Molly whine.

"Lift up your sleeve!" Called one of the groupies.

I heard swishing and then gasps.

"I didn't know you had a tattoo Molly!"

"Is that a new trend?!"

"I want one!"

Her followers started to exclaim.

"No you idiots, why would I get a tattoo, that's L-A-M-E lame! I swear I did NOT have this before just now!" Molly sneered

"Hey hehe maybe it's ummm an allergic reaction to Gaz!" One girl piped up. They all giggled in their annoying shrill voices.

"Maybe you caught her ugliness." Another girl snickered.

I growled. They sure seemed to talk a lot about me.

Molly laughed but I could hear nervousness in her voice. "That must be it, maybe that tacky skull charm of hers let off some curse. Oh well, it will probably go away, now, let's get to class!"

I heard their high heels clicking as they walked out. I smirked. I guess these aliens don't have much diversity when it comes to where their specimens come from. If Molly was in chosen too, this was getting interesting. If I was toast then Molly was burnt. She wouldn't last one nano second in whatever slaughter machine they were feeding us to, whoever they were. Plus, in my personal opinion, red was a great color on Molly.

I waited until the bell rang. Violent thoughts of Molly's destruction bouncing around in my mind. Sometimes I would stop to wonder if there was something wrong with me. Normal girls probably don't fantasize about their enemies being destroyed in horrific ways, but since when had I been normal?

I rolled down my sleeves and tried to look like the normal idle, sarcastic, and non-caring Gaz. I took out my Gameslave and started to play, though I wasn't really into it. I was on autopilot, my hands moving without thought as I focused on other things. I learned to do this when I was small. When you look busy, less people will bother you, simple science.

Of course, that only applied to normal people, so my brother Dib didn't exactly grasp that concept. As I walked down the sidewalk I heard the familiar rushed footsteps of my annoying brother. I desperately hoped he wasn't going to bring up what happened at lunch.

"What was that all about at lunch?" Dib asked.

No such luck.

I growled "Nothing Dib, leave me alone."

"You can't just shut me out you 'know!" Dib persisted.

"I don't know, it's worked so far." I muttered

"Gaz, I'm your brother! You can tell me anything! What's wrong? I saw that stupid popular girl come by shortly after I left…"

"Dib, stop before you say something that gets you killed" I stated in an angered tone.

"Please Gaz! Tell me, this is the first time I have seen you this flustered since mom died. Let me help you."

"Dib, I don't need-"

"Gaz, there's something wrong, like really wrong. I can feel it. Are you angry with someone? Did they hurt you? Are you in pain? Please tell me you didn't get into another fight…"

"Please, I'm always angry with someone, and I always get in fights."

"C'mon Gaz, we can talk tonight at my bigfeets stake out in the park!"

"DIB. I don't need your help! Nor have I ever needed it! Everything you ever say to me is worthless! I have no idea why you waste your breath trying! I don't care! Now I suggest you start running before I hurt that annoyingly huge head of yours!"

I stepped a foot closer to him, holding up a fist.

Dib stepped back a little. He stared at me for a second, with a look of shock.

"Sheesh Gaz, fine. Now I understand why no one will help you." Dib turned and stalked off, leaving me alone on the side walk.

I stood there for a while, maybe 1 or 2 minutes, just staring in the direction he went. Of course he had long since turned the corner, and it wasn't like I could see him, but I felt no triumph, because I hadn't actually helped myself. Since when had yelling at Dib helped me? All it was is me letting out anger. I hated to admit it, but all I had left was fear and confusion.

I couldn't quite explain it, but sometimes I would wonder why Dib even cared enough to give me a confused glance when I acted different. I mean, I'd practically punch him about 50 times a week! Who would care about a bully? In a way, I was scared that one day he'd stop caring, and I would have no one.

I shook my head and trudged down the street. I didn't bother to get out my Gameslave, I was most certainly not in the mood to play any games, and I knew I couldn't go back to the house, Dib would be there, and I couldn't bear to see him right now. I needed to cool off, some time to collect myself

So I decided to go to Bloaty's. It probably doesn't sound like an ideal choice, considering it's full of screaming children, disgusting facilities, and horrible service. Right now it was only option though. I smiled, thinking of trying the new Super Ultra Cheese Deluxe, then going to the CD store. Not to buy CDs, who uses those anymore? Just to listen to the soothing music and possibly steal some CDs.

It was around 5:00 PM when I entered Bloaty's. I was welcomed by the scent of grease and total loss and despair. I ordered my pizza and sat down at a booth. I sat for a moment, basking in the familiarity of the scene. Then I heard a very distinct recognizable voice.

"I want this one, no I want this one, noooo this one!"

The acne covered teen let out a groan as the little green dog stood on his tippy toes to see the menu. Zim stood behind GIR, his arms crossed with an irritated expression on his face.

After a long while of GIR changing his mind Zim sighed. "We will have the regular cheese pizza, now be gone filth beast!"

Zim whirled around, his eyes closed in confidence that people would move out of his way. Instead of that, he crashed into a waiter carrying a tray of pizza and soda. Zim lay in a heap on the floor, a piece of grease bathed pizza sliding down his face and GIR licking the soda.

I couldn't help but laugh at then alien's predicament, although no one else joined in. Zim glared and stood up, adjusting his wig then stomping in my direction. I tried to stifle my laughter, but it was no use.

"What is so funny Gaz human?" Zim sneered.

"Oh nothing, just you falling on your butt, in public, some elite alien invader you are." I snickered.

"That filthy stink beast caught me by surprise. Zim is truly superior to humans in every way." Zim said as if that was the best explanation he could think of.

"Yeah sure…. So since when do you go to Bloaty's? I thought you hated earth food or it like burned you or whatever." I asked.

"Well… GIR is going to be shut down for a while so I figured I would let him do something special. This was his choice." Zim shuttered on the word "this" gesturing to the restaurant.

I stared at GIR in the ball pit, sucking the plastic pink-eye infected multi colored spheres into his mouth and shooting them out like a machine gun.

"Why are you shutting him down, not that his annoyingness isn't enough reason?" I asked.

Usually I wouldn't be so verbal without someone, especially Zim of all people, but I needed something to take my mind off my tattoo.

"I'm going on a trip for a while." Zim replied.

Just like me sooner or later, I thought. I decided not to persist. Imagine Dib's face when he realizes Zim is gone. Priceless.

"Dib sister, I do have one request." Zim said nervously.

"Okay." I said raising my eyebrow.

"Make sure Dib stink does not… break while I'm gone, I still wish to have a worthy adversary when I return." Zim says, whispering the words.

I can tell why he's nervous to say them. I've known for a long time that Dib and Zim's rivalry has become more and more like a contest, which in a way, sorta makes them less like enemies.

"Okay sure, he won't get "broken" unless I break him first."

Zim nods and walks away, not even giving our conversation a proper end. All of a sudden I am not feeling like I want pizza or to go to the CD store. I stand up and walk briskly past my waiter, who says something about paying but I don't pay attention.

All I can think about are Zim's choice of words. He doesn't want Dib to break, whatever that means in his strange alien language. It feels like a word to describe me, broken. I don't function properly or have all my parts put together yet.

In all simplicity that's what we all are. I stare back at Bloaty's, the people laughing and gorging themselves. It makes me realize something. I am not whole. There's a hole in me and I keep trying to fill it with things that don't fit like pizza or video games. I try to fill it, but it never quite gets there.

I wonder the streets until I make my way home and drift upstairs. I'm in a daze, everything is fuzzy. I can make out light coming from Dib's room. He's probably up late deciphering codes or whatever. I'm too tired to think. I float onto my bed and nestle into the soft purple sheets.

I am not whole, and I haven't been for a long long time.

XxxxX

A voice hisses from the dim lighting.

"Magera you fool, you've activated the sleep drugs too early. We bring the earthlings to the ship two days from now, the earthly calendar day of Monday!"

"Sorry Lorak, I guess I dozed off and hit the button that deploys the drug."

"Well, lucky for you Magera there's still some smoke left for her, but it won't knock her out quite as well as this did since you used most of it."

"Whatever, I hate this job."

"Me too"

Author's Note: PLEASE READ

Invaderness signing on

So now that you know that is gonna be sorta like the hunger games, I hope you don't immediately dismiss it as cliché. We've put a lot of effort into this and I swear it's going to be different than the usual, although some things are the same. Thank you to those who have followed this story. Also major portal reference, did you catch that? Also major references to the unfinished Invader Zim episode "The Trial". Look it up on youtube if you've never seen the read through. Thanks again, review, follow, and favorite please! Bai :3

Invaderness signing off

Then Darkness Fell signing on

Hello readers! I'm glad you have stayed with us to chapter 3! As a consolation prize for making it this far, you get ADHESIVE MEDICAL STRIPS (that are invisible due to funding issues with the skool board). Anyways, so Invaderness and I are going on a trip today for the Fourth of July weekend to visit my family, and we hope to have time to write a few chapters. Because as soon as we return from the trip, she is going on another trip for a week, therefore we may or may not have time to supply you with glorious chapters. We are planning to write a few over the weekend, and Ill post them while she's gone next week. So it's possible that you'll get a few new chapters soon! So be watching! Lastly, I'd like to thank all the viewers who faved, followed and reviewed! It has made us even more determined to release new chapters. Thanks again!

Then Darkness Fell signing off