Disclaimer: Yeah, you understand what the words college student mean, right? I own the shirt on my back, and not much else. Meaning, Invader Zim belongs to Vasquez. I salute the man's insanity and wish I could follow in his crazy footsteps. Alas, I cannot...
Enjoy Chapter Four! What? Three chapters uploaded? All in one day...That's right, be afraid.
An Independent Study
Zim felt like he was on top of the world. Dib was still reeling from the session. Together they ate some complimentary ice cream. Every doctor's visit the patients received tickets to the ice cream place just a block away. Zim licked contentedly at his strawberry. Dib just kept staring at his cookies and cream.
Zim sighed after some time, "Will you eat that? It's going to drip on Zim if you don't."
"I just find out my whole purpose in life is a complete waste of time. Forgive me if I'm not exactly hungry." Dib licked the ice cream anyway.
Zim shrugged, "Suit yourself, human. Continue pouting. It will do you no good." Zim smirked, "The truth has been revealed."
Dib huffed, "I am not pouting." He said, proceeding to pout and lick at his ice cream.
Zim snickered, "Of course you're not." Zim continued licking at his own sweet treat. "I never understood why you wanted to save all these wretched people." He gazed upon the various citizens of the city walking around. "They're worse than those woolly things that make odd noises."
"I think you mean sheep, and yes, a lot of people suck." Dib admitted that easily, "But there are people worth saving."
"And where are these people, Dib?" Zim looked around, "I don't see them."
Dib grit his teeth, "I don't know, Zim, but they are there."
"Really? I'd think the only person worth the effort would be you." Zim turned to grin at Dib, "After all, you're the only one who discovered me. You are the only one I've ever met that cared about other people."
"But, I mean, other people care!" Dib licked his ice cream, "My Dad cares. He cares so much he's helping others through science day and night."
"Oh really? Has he helped you?" Zim began crunching in his waffle cone.
Dib froze, "Well, I mean he takes care of me…sometimes." Dib looked down. "When he's not busy."
Zim finished off his cone with a resounding crunch, "I'm sure."
Dib tried to defend his father, "Professor Membrane is very important! He's got to be away so much because he's trying to save people, and I've got a roof over my head and a family. Some people don't even have that much."
"You don't have that much, Dib." Zim pointed out, "You just said your father is never there, and your plague of a sibling…" Zim trembled, "is not exactly the caring type."
Dib opened his mouth to protest, but suddenly he clacked his teeth together and refused to make any more comments. He would not admit that Zim might have a point. It would just make the alien's ego larger, and the damn thing was already hard to fit inside this galaxy.
Zim looked at his wrist gadget, "It's getting late. We must go back to our domiciles soon."
Dib sighed, "Just say house, Zim."
Zim sat in his lab, twirling a pen around in his fingers. Dib giving up on humanity was great. Still, Zim liked his plan to use the human's intellect in order to create more plans. However, Zim wasn't sure how to get Dib to do it. Although Zim knew Dib was not going to save humanity, Dib also would not try to help Zim take over either.
Dib had made that point abundantly clear on the walk back to their homes.
Zim leaned back in his seat. There had to be a way. Perhaps…
Zim shot up, "That book! It contains the mind probing information on the Earth monkey!" Zim cackled, "If I have that book, I have Dib's mind!"
Behind him, Mini-moose squeaked.
Zim nodded his head, "Yes, excellent point! I must go now before dinner!"
Zim walked all the way back to the psychologist's office. There, he used his PAK limbs to laser his way into the ventilation shafts. Zim clicked and clacked his way towards the targeted office. When he was right on top of it, Zim kicked the vent in and plopped into the room.
Walking over to Dr. Al's desk, Zim rubbed his hands in glee, "I cannot wait to know the inner workings of the adversary I must DESTROY! I mean, befriend."
Without any hesitation, Zim began yanking out desk drawers left and right to find the little notebook. He rummaged through everything. He found the notebooks on someone named Algernon, along with some references to a man named Norman Bates who needed some serious help.
Zim let out a growl, "Where is that stupid thing?"
"Right in my hand, Zim." Dr. Al flipped on the light switch. "I figured you'd be back for it. You were staring at it so intently, and Dib said you had a history of theft."
Zim stood up, "Ah, I see." His eyes flittered around the destruction, "Um, well then, I believe I should go." Zim put on his best fake smile and made to leave the room.
"Not so fast, Zim." Dr. Al pointed to a seat, "I have a few things I wish to discuss with you as well."
"What? Me? The Almighty Zim! I will not fall for your brainwashing techniques, you drone-!"
"Zim," Dr. Al interrupted, "why do you want to take over Earth?"
"I don't!" Zim backed away, "That's a lie! The Dib makes terrible filthy lies!"
"Zim," Dr. Al removed a few things, and then sat on the edge of his desk, "I realize you're not an alien-."
"Well, good, because Zim is normal-!"
"-but you obviously are not happy with this world." Dr. Al flipped open his notebook, "Now, Dib says you make up ridiculous plans, plans which often fail."
"Well that inferior worm couldn't understand the complexity of the Irken mind-!"
"Thus the evidence begs the question: Why do you want to fail Zim?" Dr. Al took out a pen to scribble down his question.
Zim stared at him in shock, "You dare? Zim never wants to fail, for I AM ZIM! I will become the greatest Invader that ever lived, for I AM ZIM!"
"But Zim, you have all the equipment, all the knowhow, proper training, and even a planet that you claim should be inferior to your 'might,' so why are you still here? Why is Earth still here?" Dr. Al pushed his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose, "It seems to me you don't want to actually destroy Earth at all."
"You-you stupid, foolish, that's ridiculous! I AM ZIM! Zim is an invader, an Irken elite! I cannot fail, for I fail I am not ZIM!" Zim panted, "And I am Zim."
Dr. Al titled his head, "Do you really think that's all you can be, Zim?"
"What?" Zim felt insulted, "Zim can be anything! Don't you look down on me!"
"I'm not, Zim. I'm simply wondering if you should rethink your identity." Dr. Al pointed at Zim, "You say you're an invader, but you can never seem to invade Earth. So, why not create a new goal?"
Zim tilted his head, "A new goal? But Zim wants to destroy this mud ball. The Tallest ordered it!"
Dr. Al smirked, "Who says the Tallest have to know?"
"What?" Zim looked around, as if he expected imminent attack, "Traitorous talk! The Irken Armada has only one goal: to complete Operation Impending Doom 2. All who are in the way of that goal must perish. I will not perish!"
"Zim," Dr. Al said calmly, "what if you don't stand in the way? What if you simply stay out of the way by staying on Earth?"
"Say what?" Zim froze, "Are you suggesting I stay on this rock? For what purpose?"
"To create a new you, Zim." Dr. Al smiled, "I think you should try something else. Instead of taking over for The Tallest," Dr. Al assumed Zim was actually referring to Zim's parents, "you should try and accomplish something for yourself. See what makes you happy, and do that instead."
Zim pouted, "But Zim likes doom."
Dr. Al chuckled, "Well, then create your own doom. Don't keep trying to invade because you want The Tallest to approve. Instead, perform some doom that will make you happy."
Zim mulled over the suggestion, "Perhaps you make a point, human. Zim has been working rather hard for The Tallest and has made little time for Zim…" The alien nodded his head, "Alright, Zim will try to make a new goal."
"That's the spirit!" Dr. Al walked over to his door, and opened it for Zim.
Zim walked by, "I don't suppose you'll let me just peek inside that book."
"Nope." Dr. Al pointed out the door, "Confidentiality is my top priority."
"Fine." Zim pouted and stomped out.
