A/N
Some action and suggestive Zagr in this chapter! Enjoy!
Gaz, the Hatter, Tweedledee, Tweedledum and Cheshire had long evacuated the tea party and were just exiting the plain that stretched for miles beyond. It resembled a desert in the way that the dirt was barren and lacking any and all hydration, yet brought forth memories of a war's battle zone from the corpses scattered every which way. Nothing remained, save for the skeletons and broken bones, but it was enough to get the picture across. From the dusty swords to the broken spears, a great battle had taken place; and one victor had left the other side drowning in the bloodshed from its loss.
The Hatter stopped in a dipping valley that held a border of fuzzy shrubbery guarding the pit of sand. Facing the others, he said, "We shall rest here. Once morning arrives, we will continue and make our way to Her Majesty." He pointed at Tweedledee and Tweedledum. "You two, I want you to keep watch overnight." They nodded and scattered to their posts. "Cheshire?" The grinning dog drifted over and rubbed affectionately against him. "Would you gather food for the little lady?" he gestured to Gaz who frowned at the title. "Alice, come with me."
Zim hopped over dead branches clawing through the sand, reaching out for the sun, for life, yet passed away in the process. He offered his hand to Gaz as she stepped over the fallen trees. "Where are we going?"
He looked back at a group of limber trees. "To gather firewood, of course. Night is approaching. We must be swift."
"You act as though there is danger, but I do not see anything."
He swiveled around and stopped her dead in her tracks. His eyes closed to warning slits as he whispered, "Though you cannot see, they are there, watching. Mind your trust and watch your steps or both shall be your downfall." He raised a finger and his breath hissed, "Shh!"
He measured a tree with his hands and proceeded to cut it down with the metallic legs which protruded from his PAK. Gaz dusted away the sawdust spitting out from the hacking. "Who are 'they?'"
"The creatures of this realm; the henchmen of her."
"Her?"
The tree toppled over and thudded to the ground with a dry crack. He spun on his heal, tilting his head. "You have many questions. I suppose you should. I will explain later. Gather the wood and we shall leave."
He sliced the tree into thick, rolling logs. Gathering them up in his arms, one in his hat, he waited for her to pick up her share before departing.
She did not know what to think of his behavior. For once, Zim was generally frightened, but of what? A whisper of air scratched her shoulders and she faced the wilderness surrounding them. It was eyes watching her, or the light of the setting sun reflecting off of the various shriveled fruit which hung from drooping limbs. Zim was drawing away so she picked up the pace to keep up.
A crackle stopped her.
A roar called out and she turned in time to get thrown to the ground. She coughed for the air had been ripped from her lungs, but this did not stop her flailing arms which moved to shield her face. A beast with snowy-white, speckled fur stood atop of her trembling body. Foaming drool dripped from its jowls. She turned her face as its shattering snarl bellowed out. Its claw struck her in the arm and she screamed, the porcelain flesh tearing.
A flash of green and she watched as Zim tackled the mighty creature to the ground. With metallic legs protruding from his back, he landed a limb into the monsters eye. The monster cried out and clung to the blood that dripped loosely.
Gaz scooted back and examined Zim. Something was different. He had changed. The baby blue once seeping through his irises had taken on a vibrant, bloodthirsty crimson lust. He smiled brutally and met his match with the brute, his claws entangled in the knotted fur. He was pinned to the ground, but did not stay down long. His PAK took aim and shoved the daggered tip through the fiend's belly. It choked on the blood dripping from its mouth and tipped over slowly. The hollow, empty body thudded to the ground with a disturbing thump. He removed the leg when he was certain it lay dead.
Gaz panted, blood flowing from her wound down to the dry land. Zim crept over and grabbed her roughly by the arm. She stared at him and moved to pull away, yet his grip was too tight. She waited for the color to return to his eyes and once it did, his hold loosened. He blinked questionably before looking up at her. He staggered back and gulped, mumbling, "We must return to camp."
The firewood rolled across the ground and Gaz joined him as he ran two sticks together. His eyes were vacant, lost. She moved to touch his hand and he jumped. Burning a hole through the sand with his gaze, he muttered, "I am sorry."
"For saving my life?" her voice said smoothly.
"Did I hurt you?"
She lifted her arm into view and shrugged. "If you did, I couldn't feel it past whatever that thing was and what it did to me."
Her compassion did not soothe his guilt.
"Hatter, you didn't—"
"I lost control."
The dull sparks burst into flames and created a breathing fire. The light flickered through his eyes. "I suppose I am a little too mad."
"Aren't all beings in this world mad?" she chuckled.
"Not as I. I went too far."
"You were protecting me."
"I shouldn't have grabbed you in such a way. There is no excuse." He fingered the dried blood flaking from the gash on her arm. "You have been hurt deeply. We must clean it before the infection spreads."
Her eyes followed him as he stood. "You have medicine with you?"
"Not the sort in a jar," he admitted. He turned and whistled. Cheshire appeared and grinned. With a brief explanation, they both turned and eyed Gaz. "Cheshire must clean the wound for you."
She saw his tongue dangle in preparation and she grimaced. "I think I'll pass."
"You must let him clean it. That beast is what is known as the Bandersnatch. If it is not cleaned properly, it will fester and putrefy. The only one who can clean such a wound is one who has the ability to vaporize at will. Unless you would prefer to find the Bandersnatch and ask it to clean it for you. I'm sure if you ask nicely, it would be glad to."
His face had dropped and no longer smiled the toothy grin she was used to. Zim was never serious so she figured it must be severe. She sighed and turned away, yet offered her arm in the air. Cheshire floated over while Zim took a seat behind her. His legs wrapped around her waist and he held Gaz's arm in the arm while Cheshire streamed his tongue across.
"You are doing marvelous, my dear."
"I'm getting my arm licked, not having a baby," she groaned.
Zim chuckled and nodded. "I suppose you are right."
The moon hanging above was brighter and bigger than the one she was used to seeing on Earth. When she looked close enough, she could make out a distinct smile on the surface of the glowing orb. She grew to feel homesick, something she would have never believed before leaving for Wonderland. Before she wanted nothing but peace and solitude. Now she wanted nothing more than to return to the familiarity of her home.
Cheshire finished and she glanced down to find her arm completely healed, save for the faded scars. He floated away and her head drooped to the ground. "Why did that thing attack me? You were obviously the greater of the threats, so why did it come after me?"
Zim frowned as though her words had burned him. Though, he still answered, "You are the greater threat, Alice. I may have fought the beast off, but you will be the one to fight the Great Battle."
"Great Battle?" She craned her neck to look at him for he was still seated against her back. When this dawned on her, she swiftly faced the ground. The fire did not hide her blush.
He laughed. "Come, there is much to explain."
A/N
And finally, all will be explained in the next chapter.
Poor Zim. He feels bad for losing control, but I think it was sweet that he protected her ^-^ Oh, um, anyways…! I hope you liked it! Chapter 12 will be up soon!