Yes, my short interlude of a chapter. I would have made it part of chapter nine, but I figured that after all that philosophy, you'd rather have a break. Remember - give hints of how to make Johnny Johnny-ish! Scrawl it on your foreheads and stare at the mirror until it is imprinted into your heads and telepathically send me theinformation you gather! Or just incoporate it into a review...
Oh, and what do you think of the new description? Any more appealing than the previous?
Some of you were confused about Dib and Nny switching roles. That jsut means that once Dib was Terry's hero and Johnny was the enemy, but now Johnny is the hero and Dib is the enemy. Pretty simple, that is. The philosophy comes in later.
A small shadow sat up in the bleak of the room. There were no windows or doors, and the lights were slow to brighten into a dim glow. Green eyes blinked, and knees were pulled to a chest, arms wrapped about them. The dread of living seeped into this being's consciousness, and she stared blankly at the floor, lost in remorse.
She stayed like this for a long time, fully aware that outside a new day had dawned – a day she didn't want to live. She tightened her fists as tears threatened to bubble. What had she seen the previous night? What was happening? What happened to him? Was Johnny still alive?
Finally, a tube shot open, and an energetic little robot splattered against the opposite wall. She watched as he peeled himself off, and giggled insanely. "It's day!" he proclaimed over and over, marching about her room, then jumped unto her cot, grasping her arms as he screamed "Good morning, oh floating one! Have you seen the taco man?" Terry stared at his big cyan eyes then looked away, towards her cot, still searching for answers within herself. "Awe… what's wrong floatin' lady? Did da taco man forget to deliver your burritos?"
"No, robot dog thing. Please go away now."
"But master says I's gots to stay till you gets up!" Gir exclaimed, pulling on her arms. "Awe… what wrong, lady? You can tell me! I won't tell no ones… cept maybe piggy!"
"I don't even remember your name. How can I tell you about my life?"
"I be Gir!" he squealed, and stuck his tongue out in his cute little stupid way, eyes closed cheerfully in the strange little arches they often produced.
"Gir, go away."
"Ok!" The little robot hopped down, but then put his mitten-like hand to his chin. "Wait… but master says I gots to get you… and if I don't get you, den I didn't do what da master says… but you said not to get you… and if I do the duckies will punish me! AH!" he screeched, holding his head. She watched wide-eyed as he rose into the air, sparking, then landed back down with a goofy smile as if nothing had occurred, saying "Okie-dokie!"
With that, he walked to the wall and was siphoned back into the tube.
It was several minutes later before Terry conjured the nerve to face the day, and was suctioned up the tube to a higher level in the most dizzying of ways. She stumbled out of the toilet as she protruded out of it, clutching her stomach as it churned. She hardly noticed the object she sloshed through as she eased her way unto solid ground, attempting to regain her orientation.
"Owe, hey, watch it!" The yell was like that of a cougar's, and Terry managed to focus to find the source. She stumbled forward, using various edges to support her.
"Then stop wiggling, you ungrateful… beast… yogurt-filled… thing!"
Terry peaked around the corner of the kitchen, and her jaw slackened a bit at the odd sight. Gaz was sitting on the couch, sinking into its squishy surface, with a horrid expression of loathing on her face. Zim was kneeled before her, holding one of her legs as he carefully wound her ankle in gauze, overlapping a brace. Terry blinked several times, wondering if she was delusional, but the sight didn't evaporate.
"I would stop if you wouldn't pinch me with your stupid claws!" she replied, folding her arms across her chest.
Terry merely continued to stare, as neither had noticed her yet. Finally, she shook her head and trudged back into the kitchen, rummaging for food.
About twenty minutes later, they joined her in the kitchen. It was approximately noon, and for a world that was shattering, it was sure sunny and cheery out. "What was that about?" she managed to ask, prodding the mysterious orange goop she had found in a container in the fridge with her finger. It reminded her oddly of melted jolly-rancher. Gaz's expression darkened at the question, and she turned her back, searching. Zim sneered.
"She has a minor sprain of the ankle – with Irken technology, though, she should be well within the week. Am I not amazing?"
"Oh." He noticed her lack of energy, the black marks under her eyes telling the story of a night of anguish. The green alien pulled up a chair across from her, informally challenging her to a staring contest. She refused to look at anything but the goop before her, which he pushed aside. She continued to stare at the table where it had once sat.
"What is wrong with you, human? Have you the stomach crawlies?"
"Moron, can't you get that she's depressed? I swear, sometimes you can be so stupid." Gaz intervened, carelessly tossing some cans over her shoulder. It managed to hit Zim's cranium, and he winced, rubbing the spot of impact.
"What for? You are in the abode of Zim, are you not?"
"Leave me alone Zim."
"Ha, foolish Earthling, your emotions have consumed you like the parasites of Gawqrmeel!" He pointed at her accusingly, and she lightly shoved his finger away from her chest. He squinted. "You must be one of those 'emos' Gir speaks of…."
"Zim." Gaz warned as Terry's face lowered, bangs casting shadows across her hidden eyes.
"No, let him bluff, seeing as how he's so god-damned superior to everyone else." Terry hissed, raising her piercing gaze. Zim crossed his arms across his chest, an antenna rising.
"I see no reason for you to hold a grudge when I allow you to stay in my household." He said coolly, leaning back deeply so that the legs of his chair lifted off the ground. He rested his feet on the table, waiting for her response as he drummed his fingers impatiently.
"Well, gee, I wonder why I would… considering you've tried to kill me numerous times." Terry muttered, glaring him. They both held the gaze, tension building. Gaz's fist curled – the tension was beginning to annoy her. "Besides, I'll be out of your precious base soon enough."
Zim leaned forward, lowering his feet to the floor. "Say what?"
Terry raised her chin. "You heard me."
"And why exactly would you do that?"
"Because I need to get Dib back, which is impossible if you're trying to kill me." Terry licked her top row of teeth, watching his reactions.
Zim rose from his chair, and to Terry's shock and horror, leaned against the back of hers. He glanced up at the ceiling, thinking, mouthing words to himself in a foreign tongue. "So you are going to essentially commit suicide simply to win back the foolish Dib-monkey, yet you are afraid of little old Zim?" he questioned, and she squinted up at him. He let out a sigh, tapping the arch of her seat. "What if I told you that I would spare you this one time?"
"Why on Earth would you do that?"
He raised an antenna, stroking his chin. Gaz gazed at him coldly in suspicion. Strangely enough, though, he seemed to have to think over the question. "Because, of course, you will tell me of all Dib's future schemes if you succeed, and support my reign once Earth is conquered." He responded several moments later. "I will supply your weapons and headquarters if you agree."
The green-haired teenager glanced over at Gaz, who simply turned her head. She was on her own. She looked back up at the green alien, who was now staring down thoughtfully at her. "You're kind, Zim… too kind… what are you planning?"
"No, my dear Earth monkey, this has nothing to do with planning. But your existence does entertain me. It would be a shame to allow such amusement to fade from history." He said quite cheekily, and she winced, cringing as he ruffled her hair. It remained untidy once he finished, and he walked down the length of the table, trailing a finger upon it. "You have grown on me much like Gir has, like an insane little weed. And as much as it pains me to admit it the filth… reek… Dib… has also grown on me in this matter. Both of you will make excellent slaves of my very own."
Terry snorted, and he growled at her ignorance. "So where does Gaz fit in… and Membrane… and my mom… and my friends?"
"Membrane, of course, will be used wisely. Your friends may potentially be obliterated, but if spared, will be low-class drones. If you desire, your mother may become a status two lower than your own. And Gaz-" He glanced at the violet haired girl, who narrowed her eyes in return. "I have much larger plans for the Gaz." Gaz leaked into the shadows, irritation playing across her features.
Terry scanned him over, and then glanced out the window. "Fine…." She agreed tensely, balling her fists, "But you will keep your word."
"It is the honor of an Irken Elite."
"Then, Mr. Elite, let's get started."
In the glow of the morning, the city gleamed, bathed in light that downsized its murky tendencies. The sound of traffic had begun, sirens ringing back and forth. The towers reached into the sky, and atop a particular structure was perched a dark figure.
This creature squatted, its nails piercing the ledge of the roof, long and curved. Blind white eyes stared into nothing, and a sick, twisted nightmarish grin stretched cheek to cheek. Loose hair billowed in the breeze behind, as did the tattered cloak that appeared as tendrils of shadow. Its long shadow cast itself upon the grey building, even more horrible than the original. Blood stained this beast's muzzle and claws.
A few feet behind it lay an abandoned crimson-drenched knife, cold and still.
Lightweight but durable alloy coating a thick black, spongy material followed the shape and curves of a human child, who stared at the reflective surface of the clean metal wall. As the wall was maroon, the reflection was tinted the same tone. A visor on a thick helmet was lowered, and another gun added to the collection hanging from a thick belt.
"Terry?"
She stared at her shoulder, listening as footsteps clicked upon the floor. "Yes?" she answered stiffly, raising the visor once again. She grasped yet another gun, allowing it to hang loosely to her side as a light touch against the back of her head was felt. It was not a touch of human culture, she knew for sure.
"Come back alive."
Alien and girl stood in silence in the room covered wall-to-wall in weapons. Girl continued to stare at the wall. "Why would that be so important to you?"
"I'm not sure, human, but heed my words, anyhow."
"I'll try to." He stumbled back as she whipped around, grasping him in a hug. She buried her head in his chest, her hand fingering his PAK. "But if I die, I will miss you."
"What?" he stammered, shocked.
"You heard what I said." Her eyes gazed up, weary and tired – she didn't expect to return. "You're one of the biggest parts of my life… and I really wish sometimes… that things could have been different between the three of us."
Zim blinked down at this armor-clad girl, going to war with what had once been the most major part of her life. He could see the lines under her eyes from missing sleep, the fear beyond her façade. "You truly expect to die?" She closed her eyes, leaning against him. Tentatively, he patted her back, glancing about awkwardly. Lowering his voice, he softly whispered. "It has been a pleasure fighting with you."
She dropped her gun, burying her face in his shirt. "I just want things normal again." She squeaked.
Gaz watched as Terry stuffed her bag full of supplies. She approached quietly. "Why are you going alone?"
"Because someone has to stop him before he kills everything." Terry mumbled, shoving a few cartridges of a strange alien food into her bag. Gaz raised an eyebrow, and the green-haired girl paused for a minute. "It just seems like… somehow… I'm his conscience. You know?" she said, glancing upwards, and glanced at one of the cartridges uneasily, but packed it none the less.
"So why not get Zim to go with you?"
"Zim can follow if he wants. You can too if you ever find it in your heart to feel anything for your idiot brother. But my plan can only involve me."
"Why's that?"
"Because I'm the only other human to be abducted with Dib." She turned to stare at Gaz, who seemed to be having a bit of a hard time wrestling down a scoff. "I'm not kidding. There was something that took us up. And if it's taken me once, I can make it take me again."
"But why aliens? That's a pretty stupid trick to pull, I mean."
"Because they may know something I don't." Terry informed, and finished stuffing her bag. She stared at it for several minutes before speaking again. "I'll probably die."
"No duh."
She glanced up at Gaz, frowning. "No, I'm being serious. You know Gaz, there are things about you that I really hate. The fact that you beat Dib I can't stand. Your hatred for every living soul is nearly unbearable… yet…." She pensively pressed her alloy-covered fingertips together "You make one hell of an amazing person."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah." Terry nodded, and blinked as Gaz's hand jutted forward. She looked up curiously. "What?"
"It's a hand, moron. Shake it."
Terry's face softened, and she took Gaz's hand, watching the other girl's gold eyes as they said goodbye. "Later Gaz."
Gaz nodded, retracting her hand. The two stood in silence for a moment, before Terry slung her bag over her shoulder, leaving the room. The remaining stared after her, grasping her skull necklace. Her eyes downcast, she whispered, "Bye Terry."
A young female stood like a proud statue in the street against the beams of golden rays the sun cast against her armor, causing it to become a tone of copper, her hair dancing wildly about. She shouldered her baggage and lifted the supplied helmet, placing it over her head. Her green eyes disappeared behind the lowered flexi-glass visor, tinted so her face wasn't visible, and solemnly, she left the security of Zim's neighborhood, step by step.
Her form was black against the sun's radiation and the fire burning from the city ahead.
Uh-huh, yup. A cheesy hero clip to ruin your day. Sorry, I couldn't resist.