A/N: once again, I'm sorry it took so long to update. You know I normally like to update every other day, nut I was in town all of yesterday, and was working on a video for youtube today. Oooo! Which brings me to my next announcement:
Because I am so grateful for your views, comments, subscriptions, and for being added to your favorites' list, I wanted to give you all a sneek-peak on my new video! It is my first invader zim video, it's a ZaGr story (Duh), and it's on private until 3/23/11. That means, only YOU can watch it until then!
And because I'm lazy and won't update this, if you are reading this and 3/23/11 has already passed, then it's already open to the public, dude. Just go search it on youtube. And you fail. =P
But to you other VIPs, Thanks for reading so promptly and I hope you enjoyed the video. The link's on the bottom. You can either watch it first or read this first. (P.S. the video has nothing to do with this story)
Anyways, thanks to Nitocolus, blueflower1594, avatar2012, PartyPoisonandFunGhoul, AnnaConda1209, and invaderjanie for your reviews.
Enjoy!
This is about stealing your mission, Zim.
NOT revenge!
-Tak
The skool bell rang as overly excited students seem to launch themselves at the door. It was 3:15 and the children rushed towards their buses, eager to get home. Dib seemed to perk up a little. He waited until he was all alone in the room, and then departed out the door, cautiously looking around. Once he was outside the classroom, he flinched slightly as Zim walked passed. Zim raised a non-existent eyebrow at the started human, and then continued his walk home. Dib inhaled, gaining his focus back. He had a mission to do. He looked around, trying to find his target. After a few moments of attempting to be ninja, he saw her. Tak just came out of the girls' bathroom, and started heading towards the door. Dib ducked behind a trashcan, hoping that she didn't see him. Why was she in the girls' bathroom? Probably adjusting her disguise. Dib waited until she was out the door before he sprang into action.
As Tak walked back to her base, Dib followed behind her; jumping from bush to bush, hiding behind trees and parked cars, hoping that Tak wouldn't notice. She finally reached the abandoned Delishus Weenie Stand and went inside. Dib quickly and stealthily ran over to the door, catching it before it closed all the way. He waited a few seconds before slowly slipping inside.
It was dark; Dib carefully walked around, waiting for his eyes to adjust. A few minutes later, he was able to make out his surroundings. It was a large room with cleaning supplies and broken machinery, half-covered by sheets. Dib looked around the room, making his way towards a door. He opened it and was blinded by light. He rubbed his eyes and beheld a familiar sight. It wasn't anything like he remembered it. Where was all of the alien machinery? Where was the hover lifts? All of the technology was gone! Dib took a few steps forward and placed his hands on the railing. This didn't make any sense! If Tak didn't have any technology, then how could she follow through with a single plan?
"Gone" Tak said, nearly giving Dib a heart-attack. He gasped and quickly turned around to see Tak leaned up against the wall. How long had she been standing there?
"Everything . . . is just . . . gone. All of my hard work ripped away from me in the blink of an eye." She continued, looking around the huge building. Her eyes looked exhausted.
"Tak! I, uh . . . I was just—" Dib stuttered, looking for an explanation, but was cut off by Tak.
"I know why you're here, Dib, and I know that you were following me. Well, I suppose this isn't what you were expecting, now was it?" Tak said with a slight chuckle in her voice.
"Oh," Dib said. Tak knew all along that he was following her? Then why didn't she say something? . . . Maybe she wanted him to see this . . . He turned back around to face the vast emptiness of the once breath-taking alien base. "No, I guess I wasn't expecting this." He finally answered. Tak walked up and leaned against the railing, looking down the void. Dib looked at the girl next to him. So, she wasn't lying? She was really banished? Dib still had some lingering doubts.
"So, you were really banished?" Dib asked, just making sure.
"That's what I said." Tak answered, propping her head up with her arm.
"For your failure at filling the Earth's core . . . with snacks?" He asked.
"Yup" she answered, beyond embarrassed. She didn't even care anymore.
"So, why are you being banished now?" Dib said. "I mean, that was three years ago!" Tak walked over and sat down on a wooden box. She sighed.
"Because I've been floating in space all this time. 2 days ago, I crash landed on a strange planet. When I called the Tallest, they said I should be punished for my failure, so they sent me here." She said. Dib walked over to her, beginning to feel remorse for the poor alien.
"As you can see, they stripped me of all my technology." She continued. "This is all I have left."
Dib looked around more. "That's terrible." He stated in disbelief. "So . . . what are you going to do now?"
Tak looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?" She asked, not sure what he was implying.
"Well, are you just going to live day by day, pretending to be human, or do you have a revenge plan?" Dib asked.
"Revenge on who? You? Zim? The Tallest? What's the point! I would have nothing to gain! I have nowhere to go afterwards! And even if I wanted to, I don't have the resources!" Tak exclaimed, extremely frustrated with the situation. Dib stepped back a little, and Tak sighed.
"Besides, if I try and get revenge on you, Zim, and your sister for stopping me, then I would just be in the same position I am in now, only I would probably be under the knife on an autopsy table. I wouldn't be able to get away with it. I have nothing to prove anymore. I blew my chances at becoming an invader, and gaining the tallest trust. I have no allies to escape to, and no ship to escape on for that matter! I'm stranded." She explained.
Dib looked down, feeling sorry for Tak. She had a point there, though he was relieved Tak wasn't planning to destroy him. Then Dib suddenly froze. Her ship. He bit his lips. Dib wondered what Tak would do if she found out that he had it. He looked down at the short, indigo-colored-hair girl. It wasn't fair that she was forced to live here the rest of her life. But if Dib told Tak that he had her ship, then she might be able to escape and live a free life. Then again, once she had a useful tool she could clasp her claws on, she might change her mind and get her revenge on them. Dib could only imagine how much hidden anger she had towards him. After all, this kind of was all his fault (Gaz and Zim's too) If she had the chance, would she try to take over again? Dib couldn't be sure. He still didn't completely trust her, considering her past.
A long, booming silence filled the entire warehouse. Neither of them knew what to say. Things were getting a little awkward. Dib began to look at Tak up and down, studying her. Could she be trusted? Deep down, Dib really wanted to, but knew that it would probably be a bad idea. Dib noticed that she hadn't grown much since he last saw her; an inch at the most. Then again, she was taller than the rest of them back then, but not so much anymore. Her disguise was pretty much the same. Dib doubted that Tak cared enough to update it.
Tak glanced over at Dib, feeling his eyes on her. What was he looking at? Tak noticed that Dib was now taller than her. He had grown about half a foot. Impressive. His hair was a little longer as well.
"So what are you going to do now?" She asked. "Turn me in to the Earth Authorities?" She glared at him.
Dib's eyes shot open. He hadn't thought of that. He supposed he could turn her in now. She was pretty much defenseless. This could be his big break! Finally people would take him seriously and stop calling him crazy! Never again would anyone question his sanity! Dib felt a smile grow on his face. They would treat him with respect. Everybody would take paranormal studies seriously. He could prove them all wrong.
He glanced back at the alien, who still held her glare.
Well, then again, maybe that wouldn't be a good idea. After all, Tak didn't really deserve that fate. Yes, she tried to take over Earth once before, but that was only to prove that she could be an invader. But now, she had nothing. Not even the desire to redeem herself. She had fallen hard, and Dib wondered if she would ever get back up. Dib remembered when he and Tak used to hang out in elementary skool, as brief as it was. He could almost consider her his . . . friend. But after finding out her secret, he didn't know what to think. Still, he couldn't bring himself to do that to Tak, regardless of what he might gain. At least for the time being. Maybe he could study Tak and see if she's worth trusting, then he could make his decisions.
"No." He said. Tak looked a little shocked.
"Why not?" she questioned. Dib raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
"What do you mean? Do you want me to turn you in?" He asked.
"No! It's just . . . I thought that you, of all people, would be the first to do so." She answered. Dib felt a small smile tug at the corners of his lips.
"I think you deserve a fair evaluation." Dib said, a weak smile on his face. Tak placed her hands on her hips.
"Evaluation?" She questioned. Well, this was a change. Normally people are all too eager to punish her and watch her suffer. Never did they ever give her a chance to show them and prove them wrong. Even when trying to take over Earth, Tak had to escape on her own, gather up technology on her own, track down Zim on her own, learn about earth on her own, and come up with the brilliant plan to capture the tallest attention. But in the end, she failed. That result was always the same in everything she did. She would claw her way up, try so hard, but it seemed like someone would be waiting at the top just to throw her back down. But, Dib seemed to be giving her a chance to prove herself. To show that she was done with the Irken Empire, done with trying to take over earth, done with trying to become an invader (as if she had a choice in the matter).
"Yes, Evaluation. I'll decide what to do with you in a couple of days. You have until then to show me that you've changed." Dib said, a full blown smirk on his face.
Tak gritted her teeth, feeling a little angry. Dib thinks he soooo smart, and soooo powerful. He is loving the idea of having power over me. What an ignorant jerk. She sighed, calming herself down. She supposed she should consider herself lucky. What other choice did she have?
"Fine." She said. "You'll see in the next few days that I am what I say I am."
"If you say so." Dib said, turning to leave. Tak rolled her eyes.
"I don't understand why you need more proof that I'm not lying. I mean, look around you! Isn't that enough?" She called out. Dib didn't respond, he just continued towards the door. Soon enough, he was gone.
Tak leaned up against the wall, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply. She had a bad feeling that she was going to be seeing a lot more of him in the time to come.
The Membrane's household
Dib walked through the door and headed up the stairs. He passed Gaz on the way. She had her book bag on and was headed towards the door. Dib squinted one eye.
"Where are you going?" Dib asked his little sister. Gaz continued towards the door.
"Out." She said, and then exited the house. Dib shrugged and went into his room.
Zim's House
"GIR! Don't eat that filth! It's for the Gaz-human!" Zim commanded. Gir looked over at him. His eyes flashed red as he saluted his master.
"YES SIR!" He said. He opened his mouth, reached his hand in, and pulled out a half-digested slice of pizza. Gir placed it back on the table with the other slices of pizza. Zim gagged, wishing he didn't watch that disgusting sight.
From the moment Zim got home, he had been preparing for Gaz's arrival. He spent three and a half hours planning, researching, cleaning, and ordering human food so that Gaz may enjoy herself.
"I think that's everything." Zim said aloud, as he looked around the room. "If all goes according to plan, Gaz will have an enjoyable time here. And when she's having fun, she'll never notice me gathering more and more information on her and her secret powers." Zim said menacingly as he rubbed his hands together. He grinned evilly as he started to chuckle. That chuckle began to grow and soon turned into a loud evil roar. Gir joined in as he started to re-consume the half-digested pizza he had pulled out of his throat.
Gaz approached the alien's creepy house. She could here evil laughter coming from inside. She knocked on the door.
Zim immediately stopped laughing and cleared his throat and adjusted his wig. He walked up to open the door, but turned back to face Gir, who was still laughing uncontrollably.
"Be quiet!" He hissed. Gir looked at him for a second, then over at the pizza. He quickly grabbed three slices and shoved them in his mouth. He smiled and gave his master a "thumbs up". Zim turned back around. He opened the door to reveal a darkly dressed girl with short, purple hair.
"Welcome!" Zim greeted as he squeezed his eyes shut with a smile. "Please, come in!" Zim stepped aside to allow room for Gaz walk inside. She looked around the living room, and then glanced over at the kitchen. It wasn't much to the ignorant eye, but Gaz knew of the secret rooms below the fake house. Zim walked up next to her.
"Would you like something to eat?" He asked. Gaz opened her mouth, but Zim didn't let her answer.
"GIR! Bring forth the snacks!" He ordered. Gir walked in and stopped in front of Gaz and Zim. They stared at him for a second. Suddenly, Gir's head opened up and he pulled out a big tray of human food. Gaz raised an eyebrow at the assortment of snacks. There was baby food, muscle milk, straws, eggs, a can of beans, Easter chocolate, chips, and popcorn kernels. She looked over at Zim, who had an expression of accomplishment.
"Delicious, yes?" He said. Gaz looked back at the tray and grabbed the bag of chips.
"uh-huh." She falsely confirmed. She walked over and sat on the couch, opening the bag of chips. She grabbed a handful and stuffed it in her mouth. Zim walked over and sat next to her, watching her eat. His smile never left his face.
"So . . . you like chips, don't you?" he asked. Gaz nodded.
"And what would happen if you, say . . . didn't have your chips?" Zim asked, obviously up to something. Gaz raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
"Ummm . . . I don't know." She said, not sure what he was getting at.
"Would you, spiral into a fit of rage?" He asked leaning closer. Gaz leaned back.
"Uh, they're just chips." She said. Zim looked a little disappointed. He resumed his normal position and placed his hand on his chin.
"Hmmmm . . ." Zim hummed, trying to think. He suddenly remembered something, a mischievous smile returning to his face.
"You know, if you are still hungry after you complete your consumption of the potato chips, we have pizza in the kitchen." Zim informed. Gaz swallowed.
"Is it Bloaty's?" she asked. Zim's smile grew even wider.
"Yes. Yes it is." Zim said. Gaz smiled as she headed towards the kitchen. But when she got there, she saw a little robot, sloppily eating greasy pizza. He held a slice in his hand, then tossed it in the air and caught it in his mouth. After he swallowed, he coughed violently. Gaz looked at the table, where an empty "Bloaty's pizza hog" box sat. He ate the last slice. Gaz glared at the metal minion.
"GIR! I told you that was for Gaz!" Zim yelled angrily (So much for that idea). Gaz looked back at Zim. The whole thing was for her. Zim took the time and went out of his way to get her her favorite food. The corners of Gaz's mouth curled up (they had been doing that a lot lately).
Zim sighed and placed one hand on his hip, the other pinching his non-existent nose; his eyes shut.
"I'm sorry about Gir. He can hardly control himself sometimes." Zim apologized.
"That's okay." Gaz said still smiling. If she ate the pizza anyway, Zim would have uncontrollable gags. He would get that way with most of earth's foods. Suddenly Gaz had an idea.
"What kind of snacks do you eat, Zim?" Gaz asked, arms crossed. Zim returned to a normal position.
"Um, Irken snacks." Zim said.
"Could I try some?" Gaz asked. Zim looked a little shocked.
"Are you sure? It might have a negative effect on you. We could run some tests first—" He was cut off by Gaz.
"Just give me the snack, Zim. I think I can handle it." She said bluntly. Zim looked a little worried.
"Ooookaaaay." He said. Zim pulled out something with an Irken insignia out of his PAK. It was purple on one side and pink on the other. It had two, white, Popsicle stick looking things sticking out of the top. Zim took one out and placed it in his mouth. He extended his arm and gestured for Gaz to take out the other and do the same. She grabbed it, took a deep breath, and put it in her mouth.
For a second, nothing happened. It tasted bland, like it was water. She let it sit on her tongue. Then suddenly, a burst of heavenly flavor seemed to explode in her mouth as she felt the stick begin to slowly melt on top of her taste buds. It was like nothing she had ever tasted before. It was sweet, but not sugary sweet, like she had once thought was the only kind before. It was a little tart, but not necessarily sour. Gaz thought it tasted kind of like a cold breeze, or a cloud.
She could feel her eyes dilate and grow wide. Zim squinted one eye. He took the snack out of his mouth.
"Are you okay?" He asked, worried for Gaz's health. Gaz only trembled. Her vision started to blur as a tingling sensation flowed through her body. It was like she was on drugs. Zim took a step forward, beginning to feel scared.
"Gaz?" He said. Gaz closed her eyes as her knees began to quake and soon gave out. She fell to the floor, but didn't feel any pain. Zim gasped and dropped his snack to the floor.
"GAZ!" He cried out. He knelt beside Gaz, fear written all over his face. Oh no! What has he done? He's killed Gaz! This was awful! Zim frantically looked around, trying to figure out what he needed to do to save her. His eyes fell on her mouth. The snack. Zim placed his hand on the white stick and yanked it out of Gaz's mouth.
Her eyes instantly shot open, and found herself gasping for air. Her whole body shook as reality came rushing back. She felt like she had just been shot with straight adrenaline. Gaz looked around and had noticed she was on the floor. How did that happen? Zim was hovering over her, a look of relief and yet concern on his face. He placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay. Try and calm down." He comforted. Gaz closed her eyes and did what Zim said. She forced her breathing to slow, and tried to stop shaking. After a few moments, she started to feel a little better.
Zim picked her up and placed her on the couch. She looked so frail, so weak. A state in which Zim had never seen Gaz before. He shook his head.
"I had a feeling this would happen." He said. "Your inferior human body couldn't handle such a strong, superior snack. You're lucky to be alive."
Gaz's shaking had reduced to a small tremble. Her breathing had slowed, but she found herself inhaling much deeper. Okay, maybe that was a little stupid. She let her curiosity for alien foods cloud her judgment. Gaz felt a soft fabric cover her body. She looked over at Zim. He had gotten a blanket for her, and was turning on the TV.
"Just sit still for a little while, and concentrate on your respiration. If you don't feel better in 30 minutes, we'll have to run some tests." Zim informed. He left the room. Gir came over and changed the channel to a show that resembled the Teletubbies. Gaz would normally rip the remote away from him and change the channel, but she was too weak to care. She just watched the kiddy show until Zim came back.
"Gir, change it back! This show is full of stupid!" Zim scolded, snatching the remote away.
"But it fills me with knowledge." Gir said. Zim handed the remote to Gaz, who changed the channel to Punk'd. A few minutes passed before Zim spoke up.
"How are you feeling, human?" He asked with a genuine tone.
"Weak." Gaz answered. "But better." Gaz waited a few moments before asking Zim a question.
"Why do you care?" She asked. Zim looked confused.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean, why do you care so much about giving me pizza, playing video games with me, making sure I'm okay? What's it to you?" Gaz explained. "Nobody else does, so why do you?"
"Is that why your attitude is so foul, because you feel nobody cares?" Zim said changing the subject. Gaz however, wouldn't allow it this time.
"Oh Stop it!" She exclaimed. "Stop changing the subject! I want an answer. To everything!"
Zim looked a little shocked.
"What do you mean by everything?" He asked.
"I mean I want you to be completely honest with me right now, and answer my questions." Gaz said.
"Okay, let's be honest then." He said, turning to face her. Gaz sat up a little, the blanket still wrapped around her.
"First, I wanna know why I 'peek your interest' and why you give a crap about me!" She said. Zim swallowed and looked down at his hands, as he wasn't sure himself.
"Well, you are so different from the other humans. You pose as a threat to them. While I . . . well, they just think I'm annoying." Zim said, his eyes on the floor. Gaz's expression softened. Zim quickly looked up, not believing he had just said that. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his pride.
"I was just curious to see why they feared you more than me." He continued. Gaz's expression went blank. So that's why he was constantly hanging around. Because he was jealous of her power?
"Also, it's because of this reason that you are better than them, and deserved to be treated as such." Zim managed to squeak out the last part. Gaz's soft expression returned. Finally, someone caught on. She smiled a little, feeling small butterflies in her stomach.
"Alright, thank you. Next, I wanna know if you have ever done anything rebellious before." Gaz asked. Zim thought about this for a second.
"Well, rebellion is very frowned upon in my society, as well as individualism." He said. "Can you define your version of rebellion?" Zim asked. Gaz happily answered.
"When you don't do what you are told. When you break the rules. When you disagree with society, or want to stand out." She answered. Zim bit his lip. He's definitely done that before.
"Oh . . . well, I guess I have been a bit of a rebel." He said as if he just realized it. Gaz raised and eyebrow, not completely buying it.
"Really? What did you do?" she asked with curiosity.
"Well, there was the time when I was first born and I shoved a smeet back up the baby shute. It was clogged up with babies and plunged my planet into darkness for 5 years." Zim recalled. Gaz's eyes widened. Did he say five years?
"Really?" She said, genuinely inpressed.
"Yeah . . . Also, there was that other time when I was 10 years old and I talked Skoodge to escape to the surface of Irk with me. We were attacked by robot guards and the explosions of their weapons plunged my planet into another 5 years of darkness." Zim continued. Gaz's eyes lit up. She never knew that.
"Did you ever make it to the surface?" she asked. Zim smiled.
"Of course! Nothing stands in the way of ZIM!" He exclaimed, jumping up on the couch. Gir was eating popcorn kernels as he watched Zim like he was a movie.
"Anyways, there was the other time when one of my inventions ate Almighty Tallest Miyuki. And a few weeks later came back to eat Almighty Tallest Spork." Zim said. Gaz chuckled at the funny thought.
"Later on, during Operation Impending Doom 1, Almighty Tallests Red and Purple, the present Tallest, told me to stay in a circle to watch the invasion." Gaz leaned forward, an evil smile on her face.
"Don't tell me you actually did that, did you?" She asked. Zim laughed.
"Of course not! My Empire needed me! So I ran outside and took a Frontline Battle Mech . . . but accidently nearly destroyed the planet." He said. Gaz busted out laughing.
"Let me guess, you ruined the whole invasion didn't you?" Gaz said while laughing. Zim looked down.
"I suppose . . ." He was interrupted by Gaz's laughter.
"Wow, Zim, that sure is amazing!" She said, grinning. Zim looked up, a smile growing on his face.
"I know, right? Finally someone agrees!" Zim said. Gaz continued Laughing. Zim just smiled at her. Zim had made her laugh. Gaz never laughed, but Zim just made her laugh. He felt a warm feeling in his squeedly spooch. He liked that feeling. He liked to make Gaz laugh.
Gaz had caught her breath and began to speak.
"Okay, lastly, I wanna know if your life would still have meaning if you weren't an invader." She asked. Zim's smile instantly disappeared. Gaz's smile disappeared too, she felt bad for asking that, but she had to know. Zim looked off into the distance.
"I . . . I don't know. Probably not. For so long, my only purpose in life was to be an invader. If I wasn't . . . then I would have nothing to live for." He said. Gaz swallowed. Whoa, things just got heavy.
"Why wouldn't you just decide your own purpose in life? Why does it have to be given to you?" Gaz asked. Zim turned his head around sharply, not believing what he was hearing.
"Such ideas are unheard of on my planet. That's just the way it's always been." Zim said. Gaz bundled up in her blanket.
"Well, we aren't on your planet, now are we? We are on mine, and here on Earth, deciding your own purpose in life is encouraged. You have to work at what you want. It's not just decided for you by a higher power. Maybe your planet could use a change." Gaz said. Zim narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah? And look where it's gotten you! Your species are THOUSANDS of years behind mine! Maybe if you were all analyzed to see where you should be placed, you would be more advanced. So thanks Gaz, but I don't need your human advice." Zim said, arms crossed.
Gaz's eyes narrowed. How dare he insult her people! Granted, he had a point, but he didn't have to be such a jerk about it!
"You know, Earth isn't as far behind as you think. You may be more advanced in the field of technology, but you can't even comprehend such things as emotion, freedom, honor, and fun. You said yourself that it's a good thing to be different. Because if everyone was the same, nobody would come up with new ideas. Not just for technology, but for life itself. For instance, you hate Earth with a fiery passion. Why? Because you were raised . . . no, programmed to think that anyone who isn't like you is inferior. Did you every even give it a chance to see for yourself, or were you just so convinced already that we humans are scum, even though you knew nothing about us? You have your own free will, why don't you use it?" Snapped Gaz.
Zim was shocked. Once again, he was left speechless by one of Gaz's responses. He started to stutter, but was silenced by Gaz's stare. He looked away, pouting. Gaz turned her attention towards the TV again.
Fifteen minutes passed in silence. Gaz almost jumped when Zim finally spoke up.
"I'm sorry." He squeaked. Gaz's eyes widened.
"What?" She said.
"I – I'm sorry." Zim said more clearly, looking at his boots, feeling as tiny as an ant. Gaz's expression of shock turned into that of sympathy.
"It's okay . . . I'm sorry too." She forced out, not usually one to apologize. It was silent for a while. Zim turned to Gaz. A weak smile returning to his face.
"You seem to be doing better." He said. Gaz nodded.
"Yup, I feel like my old self." She confirmed. Zim grinned.
"Good, now we can get on with the surprise." He said, jumping up from the couch. Gaz opened one eye.
"What surprise? Gaz asked. She wasn't sure if she liked where this was going. Zim's grin grew even wider.
"You'll see."
A/N: sorry to leave it a cliff hanger, but this is long enough. I didn't want to keep you waiting and you'll find out what happens in the next chapter. Oh yeah, here's the link (I can't believe no one has done this video yet!):
Zim ~ Hellfire: www. (Youtube) .com/watch?v=NMG4jzAqVhU
Thanks for reading =]
