Author's Notes: I don't own Invader Zim, Jhonen Vasquez does heh. But Zenchi, Aura, Kunai and so on are MINE!
I had some rough months, but since Winter Break is FINALLY kicking in I can update my fic, and I know you guys all wanna see the story unfold, why else would I be doing this and not be getting paid? Anyway Ch 7 will have to come up when I get back from snowboarding, kudos guys and thanks for sticking to the fic!
Ch 6 – Subterraneus CivitasAdurna (Underground City Adurna)
Zenchi released Kunai and backed away, a strange chill running down his spine.
"Beginning of the end?"
Kunai nodded, rising to his feet. "The Forbidden Army...as some may call it..."
Zenchi blinked in confusion. What the hell is this guy talking about..! He thought.
"I see bewilderment upon your face..." Kunai tilted his head more, getting a good look at Zenchi, "...You do not know the power you possess...why...you don't even know what the hell I'm talking about do you...?"
"You don't gotta make me sound like a fool!" Zenchi crossed his arms and huffed.
Kunai smiled thoughtfully as Aura joined Zenchi by his side. He bowed graciously, "My apologies. I had thought you knew what you were about to wrought into this universe. Come my friends, to the shelter, and there you will learn your fate..."
He stretched the last word, leaving it hanging in the air like a choice between life and death. He turned with a small grin and began to walk off.
Zenchi took a step forward, feeling a warm hand cling to his arm. "Aura?"
"Are you sure we should follow him? What about getting the book to the Tallest? The mission?"
Zenchi paused for a moment, looking at the book in his other hand. Deep inside he knew he would have ignored anything else and brought this book back to his Tallest, but something new overcame him, and his desire to seek the truth overcame his loyalty.
"The Tallest can wait; I want to know what this guy knows." He stated bluntly, and ran after Kunai.
Aura stared in disbelief, but followed nonetheless.
Several hours passed and all they saw was sand upon sand, even the hills had hills. Zenchi reached out and grabbed Kunai by the back of his shirt.
"Look, we've been walking through this desert for hours. Where is this shelter you speak of?"
Kunai gazed solicitously at him and pointed to the ground. "We're standing on it."
Zenchi looked down and stomped hard. He was surprised to hear a loud Clnk! Then the ground shifted under him and began to rise.
The three irkens jumped out of the way as a large rectangular door rose from the sand. A bright light spread across the door, creating a type of portal. Aura and Zenchi watched as Kunai stepped through.
Zenchi turned to Aura, "Ah, ladies first."
Aura simply rolled her eyes, "...men" and walked on through, Zenchi following close behind.
He felt a cool breeze whip against his face and as he opened his eyes he was surrounded by many red skinned aliens: Adurnians. They had piercing blue eyes and blood red skin, with gray markings all over their bodies. Their hands consisted of two long sharp claws jutting out; their feet were shaped in the form of a T-Rex's.
Zenchi crouched into a defensive position, glaring at every single one.
"It's alright; this Irken is friend, not foe..."
The Adurnians backed off and Kunai came into the circle with Zenchi, "They are very protective of their home ever since the War."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Zenchi crossed his arms, "What war?"
"All will be revealed soon my friend, come." Kunai motioned for him to follow.
Zenchi tilted his head, his eyes grew wide for a moment, "WHERE'S AURA?"
Kunai stopped and looked at him, "She's with my wife." He smiled, "Were you worried about your mate?"
Zenchi felt his face flush with a deep green, "She's not my mate, I just don't want to uh...well I mean it's every Irken for them self..."
He found himself faltering with his words. Why am I getting all tongue tied?
Kunai just continued grinning and motioned for him to follow again.
"Let us not keep our mates waiting."
"I'M TELLING YOU SHE AIN'T MY MATE!"
Kunai let out a chuckle as Zenchi continued his protests. He stopped at a door and watched as Kunai entered some code and the door rose up, they walked in.
There sat two Irken females at a rather large dining table. Aura held a cup in her hand while the other stood waiting for Kunai.
"Arpexio menti..." the female whispered softly as Kunai embraced her in his arms.
He responded, "Perbeat abeo menti" and kissed her lightly between the eyes.
Zenchi passed the two lovers and glared at Aura, "Why didn't you wait for me, I got caught up with some Adurnians and I seriously thought you got killed or something!"
Aura sipped her drink and looked up at him, "Were you scared?"
"I'm NEVER scared, it's just that someone like you running off and I gotta sit around wondering if you're ok!"
She smirked, "So you were worried about me."
Zenchi felt himself blush lightly, he turned away and crossed his arms, "Well of course I'll worry I mean it's my job to teach you the way of the invader and all that, so if you die I don't wanna be left with the blame. I mean come on, imagine my reputation if I let some flimsy little wench die out on me."
He heard a loud clatter behind him and as he turned he saw the figure of Aura rush out of the room and out of sight.
"Well that was a total waste of time." He huffed and looked over at Kunai and his mate, "Why are you both looking at me like that?"
Kunai sighed, "You must apologize to her."
"Like hell I will!" Zenchi cast his gaze to the floor, a feeling of guilt nipping at his heels.
He felt a gentle hand fall on his shoulder and saw large purple eyes looking into his own.
"She was waiting for you here, and she expected you would not need her assistance to get to our home. She explained you were very capable and she had utmost faith in your ability to find your way to her."
Zenchi felt the faint blush cross his face again, had Aura really come to trust him in only a few short months? Perhaps he had been too harsh, but even he would not admit that to himself.
"I will tell you all you want to know, but first I suggest you handle your business." Kunai smiled and motioned for him to follow Aura.
Zenchi sighed irritably and followed her path. He walked through the short hallway and found her standing outside the balcony, her back turned to him. He cleared his throat and walked on out.
"Aura we need to talk." He shut the glass door behind him and stepped closer to her.
She turned and looked at him slightly, her eyes cascaded with tears. Zenchi was taken aback; his heart began to throb unbelievably fast.
"Hey, Invaders don't cry." He reached out but she smacked his hand away furiously.
"I'm no Invader! I'm a flimsy little wench remember?"
Zenchi sighed, "Look, I'm sorry I said that. I was just talking nonsense..." he stopped, realizing that was not how he truly felt. He stood next to her looking out and reworded himself.
"I'm so sorry, Aura."
She looked at him, surprised at the kindness in his tone, rather than his usual arrogant dialect. She stood in silence as he continued.
"I'm sorry I acted the way I did. I was just worried that you've gotten hurt and I wasn't there to..." He thought for a moment.
"...protect me." Aura interrupted his thoughts.
He smiled, "Yes exactly."
Aura smiled back, "You really are one of a kind Zenchi"
She stepped closer and stared directly into his eyes.
Zenchi drew back "Um..."
She gave out a flirtatious giggle, "I'm sorry for leaving you behind; I promise from now on I'll always be by your side!"
Zenchi's mouth hung open in confusion, "Wuh...always?"
Aura turned and motioned for him to follow, "Don't forget why we're here."
"Oh right!" He stepped back into the room with Aura close to his side.
CH 7 on the way...
Irken to English Translations
Arpexio menti – Welcome Home (Are pecs chio Men tea)
Perbeat abeo menti – Glad to be home (Per beat ah beo men tea)