Zim was left in the basement for several days without light, food or drink. There was not much that could contain an invader, thanks to their specially-designed PAK, but, as mentioned before, Dib had spent a long time studying him. The containment was not just a cage, it was a specifically-constructed holding area. The glass and steel were thick, and reinforced with some type of coating that deflected laser beams. The entire basement, Zim discovered, was void of transmissions because he had attempted to contact GIR by extending the microphone outside of the steel bars.
It was all very calculated and well-planned. Zim was secretly impressed by the human's intelligence.
Zim pondered why the human professor did not think it odd that Dib was keeping his 'foreign friend' in a cage in the basement for so long. Then he figured, the man was so busy he had most likely forgotten all about him.
Zim was lying partially curled up in one corner, facing the wall, when Dib finally returned for him.
The human turned on all the lights with the intention of blinding the alien and strode over to his cage.
"Well Zim, how's it been, stuck here in the dark?" Dib crossed his arms and grinned down at the alien's still form. He waited for a response, but was not granted one.
"Zim?" Dib tapped the glass. He looked closer and watched, but the alien did not stir, even for breath. Dib quickly opened the glass and stepped in, dropping to one knee beside the alien. He turned him to his back and saw that he was pale, his eyes closed and his lips parted slightly.
"Zim, wake up." Dib shook his a little, but he didn't move. He seemed void of life. Dib stared down at him in shock, unbelieving that his enemy was gone. He didn't really register what had happened, as sometimes happens to people when something traumatic suddenly happens. Dib lifted Zim, not really thinking as he tried to wrap his mind around the alien's death.
"Damnit.." he whispered.
Dib carried him to a table and laid him on it, then turned away from him as he thought of what to do now. He heard a scraping sound, like metal against metal, and looked around. He turned to the alien reluctantly and gasped.
Zim glared down at him from the table. He was risen up on his PAK's spider-legs and panting, having held his breath.
Dib stumbled back from him, startled and confused. Zim shifted his weight and snapped one of the legs at the human, the sharp metal tip slicing his cheek. Dib clamped a hand over it, blood trickling between his fingers, and backed away more. He was defenseless, having completely believed the alien to be helpless, dead even.
Zim trembled with effort but leaped straight up from the table. He twisted in the air and snatched onto one of the light fixtures on the ceiling. Not taking his eyes from Dib, he sliced through one of the wires, destroying the light. Dib watched him with wide-eyes, then dashed for the stairs.
Zim leaped to the ground, landing directly in front of the human. He hissed through pointed teeth and Dib scrambled back, fearful of him. Zim grinned, then crawled up the stairs with inhuman grace and speed. He punched in the light-switch and ripped it out of the wall. All the lights went out except one in the far corner of the Professor's lab.
Dib blinked rapidly, trying to adjust his eyes to the dim lighting. When he could see again, he looked around quickly. Zim's crimson eyes, narrowed to slits, peered at him from around the corner of the room's divider. Dib watched as he moved out into sight, moving slowly and never taking his eyes from the boy. Dib backed away towards a cabinet, reaching a hand behind him. When his fingers touched the wood, he turned and yanked open the third drawer quickly. He snatched a syringe and chose a vile containing a dark liquid. Turning back to face Zim, he saw the alien mere feet from him, watching him. Dib could only make out his outline and eyes in the darkness. He opened the syringe package and put it together with shaking hands.
Zim seemed in no hurry. He could hear paper crinkling, and saw the human holding something, but didn't see it as any threat to him. He shifted his weight from side to side periodically, growing weaker as time progressed. His PAK had begun to flash dark red, warning him that it needed charging. He had to get back to his base within the hour. If he didn't charge his PAK… well, it would mean the end of him.
Zim considered attacking the human, having him in such a rare and vulnerable state. But his own life was worth more than revenge. He backed away a little, then turned and moved towards the stairs without saying a word. He would let the human-worm lie in his confusion and fear awhile longer. And now that he knew the layout of his home and lab, Zim would return at a later time to strike his revenge.
He was half-way to the stairs when he felt something small stab into his back. The invader snarled and whipped around, one of the mechanical legs striking Dib to the floor. Reaching behind him, Zim took hold of the thing and pulled it from his back. He knew what the object was before he even looked it it.
"Pathetic, Dib," he growled, throwing it down with enough force to shatter it.
Dib just stared up at him quietly, waiting.
"Do you really think any Earth-potion will stop me?" Zim dropped to his feet as his PAK weakened to the point of not being able to support him on the spider-legs.
Dib got up slowly and watched the alien, a smug look on his face. Zim turned and continued towards the steps. He began to stumble after perhaps four or five steps. When he reached the base of the stairs, he collapsed.
Dib walked over to him and kicked him onto his back. Zim was struggling to remain awake. He looked up at the human through glazed eyes.
"My PAK.." Zim whispered.
Dib, out of curiosity more than anything, leaned down to hear him better.
"Please.. take me home.." Zim blinked slowly and clenched his hand slowly into a fist.
"Right, yeah. I'll get right on that."
Zim grabbed Dib's leg tightly, using the last of his strength. Dib started to pull away, but crouched next to the alien when he released him.
"Dib.. My PAK needs to be charged. " Zim closed his eyes. "I will die within the hour.."
Dib considered him, then rose and crossed his arms. "And I care?"
Zim said no more. His PAK continued to swirl and flash dark red, very nearly the color of blood. Even as Dib watched it was dimming. He thought over the alien's words and was in conflict with himself. He didn't exactly care for Zim to die, but he wasn't about to save him either. Not after all the shit he had been through.
Dib sat next to him as he mulled over what to do. And all the while, Zim's life support was trickling away.