Next chapter! It focuses mostly on Zim's POV, though it starts with Dib. And don't worry about Dib and Liz, they will make up soon :) just not this chapter. This one's a little bit longer, and more dialog focused I just wanted to get to a good place to stop.
Panting, Dib slipped out from the skool building and silently closed the door behind him. Ducking down into a nearby bush he waited until he was sure Zim hadn't noticed his escape. He heard the tapping of the metal PAK legs against the lockers as Zim careened down the halls. Holding his breath Dib waited and thankfully the sound passed by. He stayed hidden in the bush catching his breath.
Damn. That was close. Dib didn't know how, but through sheer willpower and adrenaline-powered panic he had managed to stay out of Zim's grasp. All he had to do was put enough space and time between them until Zim forgot what Skoodge asked. Zim wasn't one to keep focused for long. If Dib could manage to stay one step ahead of the invader he could gather his wits and divert Zim to save his sanity.
While he fully admitted to Liz that the invader meant something to him, he was not about to let Zim know. Despite what Liz said, Dib doubted that Zim thought of him as something more than an enemy. His most recent time in Zim's lab was proof of that...well, maybe. Liz told him that Zim healed some of his wounds, but Dib just couldn't imagine it. He would never be that lucky. Skoodge had an entirely different personality than Zim and he had no desire to take over the Earth, so there was nothing stopping his and Liz's relationship from forming.
However, he and Zim would always be on opposing sides as long as Earth was in danger, well more in danger. The demon take-over was definitely something he had to work on, but for that he would need Liz's help. And to get her help he would have to apologize to her. Then they would talk and settle this matter.
After they were on good speaking terms again he would be free to yell and freak out at her for planting the idea of seduction into Zim's head. Zim had no clue what it meant and Dib sure wasn't going to explain it to him. Because it would be absolutely horrible if Zim found out that Dib was attracted to him. He was sure it would completely disgust the alien and Zim would probably use that knowledge to humiliate him and Dib knew he wouldn't be able to handle that kind of reaction. It would just make him feel like he was more of a freak of nature than he already was. Not only was he a clone, but he was attracted to a male alien. It made him feel like a failure of a human.
Suddenly, Dib really wanted to talk to Liz. She didn't seem to have any internal conflict about being attracted to an alien. And the fact that he was attracted to male didn't seem to phase her at all. In actuality it didn't bother Dib that much either. He never interacted much with girls, or boys, or anyone. Thinking about it, if Zim had been female, like Tak, he was sure he would be feeling the same. Gender wasn't a huge issue in society talked about mostly because some people were too stupid to tell the difference, or they didn't care as long as their partner wasn't horribly deformed like some seemed to be. However, while no one seemed outwardly against any particular gender dating, he hadn't personally seen any same sex couples either.
The lunch bell rang breaking Dib out of his thoughts. If Zim hadn't found him by now then maybe he was safe, but being so close to the skool building made him nervous. There had to be a better hiding place.
Scanning the area Dib spotted a large tree by the street. That was perfect. He would have cover and easy access to the street in case he needed a quick escape. Peering first through the bushes to make sure no one was around, Dib rolled out of his hiding spot and made a dash for the tree. He reached his objective and hadn't been attacked or yelled at, which meant that Zim hadn't seen him. Grinning to himself Dib began climbing up, which was a lot larger than he thought it would be as the tall tree didn't have a lot of low hanging branches and he had to use the rough patches of bark to pull himself up.
Safely concealed up in the tree's leaves Dib settled down on a thick branch that could support his weight. He was far enough away from the skool that when the day ended he would be able to see everyone leave, but he wouldn't be close enough for people to notice him. Not many kids walked home anymore; either driving or taking the bus and the parking lot was on the other side of the building. Those that did walk home would go in the opposite direction as this side of the skool led to the downtown area. It was also the opposite direction of Zim's base so there would be no chance of Zim passing by this way either.
Feeling a little smug at his cleverness, Dib shifted his shoulder into the tree trying to get comfortable, as he had to avoid letting the healing burn touch the tree, and shut his eyes. He never got enough sleep, a short rest would do him good. After he woke up he would come up with a distraction plan to divert Zim's attention as well as get back at the invader for burning the mark into his back.
Shutting his eyes, Dib had just about begun to drift off when he felt something wrap around him securing him to the tree. His eyes popped open and he gave a startled yelp at seeing Zim crouched on the branch in front of him, a wide zipper-toothed grin on his face. Looking down Dib found that Zim had used some sort of device with metal coils to bind him to the tree as well as pin his arms to his sides.
"Zim! How did you find me?" Dib asked struggling against the contraption testing out it's strength. Yep. Pretty strong.
"Foolish human, I have years of training, my superior Irken skills made it easy to find you," Zim gloated.
"Oh yeah? Well then, why did it take you half an day to do so? Huh?" Dib countered.
"SILENCE!" Zim shouted and Dib smiled smugly at winning the argument. "Smile while you can, Dib, Zim is not the one tied to a tree," Zim said scowling back then weirdly enough he sat down on the branch facing Dib and stared intently at him as if waiting for something. Dib continued to scowl at the alien, as long as he wasn't asking any questions Dib could keep up his annoyed mask.
When nothing happened Zim scooted a little closer his legs dangling off the tree's branch, but still just out of reach so Dib couldn't kick him off. After a moment of confused and awkward silence Zim's scowl deepened and Dib frowned in confusion. He didn't want to, but he had to ask.
"What are you waiting for, Zim?"
"You, stupid Earth-monkey," Zim said as if it was the most obvious answer.
Dib rolled his eyes. "You have me tied to a tree, Zim. It you want to fight release me or get closer so I can kick you," Dib said acting out the gesture by bringing one of his legs back then out again.
Zim ignored him, opting instead to continue to stare at him intently. "Dib-stink, where is Zim's scent?"
"...what?" Dib said utterly confused.
"Zim's scent!" Zim said louder and more annoyed. "The scent you make because of Zim, for Zim. The scent that makes me feel powerful. The scent to make me feel taller, make it! Zim is close to you, make the scent."
"How can a smell make you feel taller?" Dib asked even more confused than before.
"The Liz-human did it for Skoodge! Skoodge now seems taller because of it. Zim wants to feel taller too. Do as I say human-slave!"
"I'm not your slave, Zim!" Dib shouted back angrily. "I'll find a way to remove that burn mark, I'm not your property. And why should I do anything that you want? Forget you, Zim!" Dib glared at Zim still pissed about the whole event. Feelings or no, Dib was not happy about being branded. He turned his head away too angry to even look at the dense invader.
"Forget me? ZIM? No one forgets me! I am Zim!"
"Zim? Who's that? Who said that?" Dib said mockingly looking around like he couldn't even see Zim. He was too angry at the moment to care how childish he was acting or that he was pretending Zim was invisible and not that he forgot him. Hopefully Zim wouldn't notice Dib's mistake.
"Me! I am Zim. Zim is here," he said in an angry panicked voice and flailing his arms around to get his attention. If Dib weren't so mad he might have started laughing at how serious Zim was taking this.
"Oh, wow," Dib said in a fake surprised voice looking down at himself. "How in the world did I get stuck to this tree?"
"It was me!" Zim said still flailing his arms. "Dib, stop erasing Zim from your brain-meats!" He demanded, pointing at Dib
"Nope," Dib said loosing some of his anger at how freaked out Zim was. "I'm forgetting you completely."
"No! You will not forget Zim!" he said as his PAK legs popped out and braced themselves against the branches. "You will remember Zim forever," he said glaring at Dib.
Suddenly Dib became worried. He pushed Zim too far. Helplessly stuck to the tree, Dib had no way to defend himself against Zim's anger. He really should have thought this plan through better. Using the PAK legs as leverage Zim lunged at him and his clawed hands grabbed Dib's head. Expecting the worst, Dib scrunched his eyes closed bracing himself for the pain to follow.
Something warm and smooth pressed against his mouth. Dib's eyes popped open to stare at the green filling his vision. Too stunned to do anything, Dib let Zim mush their mouths together in what could be called a kiss if a person was feeling generous. He felt Zim's lips curl into a smile and Zim pulled back grinning triumphantly, his clawed hands still having their vice grip on Dib's head. Dib openly stared at Zim.
"Ha!" Zim gave a short laugh fueling his victorious feeling. "Zim has taken the first-thingy that humans value most. Now you will never be able to forget Zim," he said smugly.
For a moment Dib couldn't breathe, he was sure if he moved or thought anything then reality would break. Then all at once his brain processed what just happened and took stock of the situation. Zim was sitting in his lap, his hands were entangled in Dib's hair gripping his head, and Zim had just stolen his first kiss.
The blood that drained from his face in fear, suddenly came rushing back all at once.
Zim's grin grew wider and he tilted his head closer pulling one clawed hand away to pull off his wig. His antennae free they perked up in the air before falling forward and wiggling in the air between them.
"Yes," Zim hissed, pleased. "This is the scent. Zim will use this to grow stronger and feel taller." He closed his eyes as his antennae flickered in front of Dib's face gathering up the supposed scent Dib was releasing.
Smiling with his eyes closed like that Dib could only think of Zim's face as seductive, and it completely freaked him out. "Zim!" Dib squeaked. "Get me off—I mean, get off—Arg!" Dib cried out frustrated with his overactive hormonal brain for making him slip-up his words like that. It was not helping. "Back off, Zim!" he finally said correctly.
"No." Zim opened his eyes and set his jaw stubbornly. "I need this scent to mature and feel taller. You will make it for Zim until I can catch up with Skoodge. The Liz-human made Skoodge feel taller, you will do the same for me," he explained and closed his eyes again to enjoy the intoxicating scent, unconsciously leaning slightly closer.
Panicked and embarrassed and unable to stop himself from thinking, Dib tried to say something to get Zim to back off and give him space to collect his wits. "Liz and Skoodge are dating! They like each other! They're, er..." Dib struggled to remember the word he heard Zim use in the past. "Love-pigs!"
That got Zim's attention. His antennae stood up in surprise as Zim straightened so he could stare disbelievingly at Dib. He moved his hand away from Dib's head and grabbed his chin holding his head in place. Glaring at Dib he said, "Explain. Explain to Zim how love-pigs are mates."
"W-Well," Dib began not sure how Zim thought they were any different. He knew he had no choice but to answer if he wanted to keep his jaw intact. "Liz and Skoodge like each other, I think. They're attracted to each other. W-When two people are attracted to each other they date, er, become love-pigs, to see if they want to be mates, I guess," Dib ended lamely.
Zim seemed to be processing this information, then paused, blinked at Dib, and shouted, "You're lying!" before he used his PAK legs to launch himself from the tree and skittered across the skool yard and out of sight.
"Well," Dib said out loud to himself after a long moment. "That could have gone worse, I suppose." It was another long moment of silence before Dib realized that he still had no way of getting free from the tree. He was sure there was a release mechanism, he just needed someone's help. In his pocket was his phone, if he could just get it out...
Zim fled back to his base in a mild panic. He had succeeded in making Dib release that intoxicating scent. It made him feel amazing and powerful and all the things he deserved to feel, but invaders need no one. He should not need the Dib to feel taller. He should not have liked the close contact with Dib, but he did. He even removed his wig in front of the human, he could have compromised his brilliant disguise. Yet Zim still wanted to turn back and coat his antennae in the scent. Something horrible was happening to him. He shouldn't want to be close to Dib, but he felt a mighty need to grab the human again.
"Computer!" Zim boomed the moment he ran into the house. "Take me to the lab," he ran into the kitchen and opened the fridge elevator. Inside he waited but nothing happened. "Computer!"
"Whaaat?"
"Take me to the lab."
"Fiiiine."
The elevator finally moved and brought Zim to the lab. On the way he had been tapping his foot impatiently and the moment the doors opened he dashed over to his work station. Pulling a cord down from the ceiling he plugged it into his PAK and ran a manual diagnostic. As the data appeared on the screen Zim began scanning over the results and was horrified to find that his emotional filter was functioning at a mere five percent. The taller chemical was almost to the saturation point in his system. So far no others systems had been compromised, so he had no idea what was wrong with him. He had to know what effects the chemical was having on him.
Never would he have entertained the idea of being close to the Dib without thinking of destroying or hurting him, but yet just a moment ago all he wanted to do was soak in that scent and wrap his clawed fingers around his squishy flesh, not to tear apart, but to just feel it. And the smashing of faces wasn't entirely unpleasant as he felt closer to that scent. Something was wrong because when Dib explained about love-pigs and being mates the idea didn't utterly disgust him. Something was horribly wrong. He needed to find a way to fix his brain. He needed to know exactly what was wrong with himself. He had to know what to expect if he reached saturation point or if his filter disappeared completely, and for that he needed updated data from Skoodge.
"Skoodge!" Zim said into his communicator. "Come to the base immediately."
"But it's still skool," Skoodge whispered as he was in class.
"I don't care about the stupid dookie-skool! Zim needs your data now. Come back to the base," Zim said turning off the communicator before Skoodge could argue. Tapping his foot impatiently Zim scanned his lab in effort to find something to occupy his time while he waited. If he didn't do something he would start thinking about the Dib's scent again.
A flashing warning on one of his screens caught his attention. He had personally designed this program to keep track of the power usage in the base. Anything he had not preset or set up himself would show on the screen. He created this program for one specific purpose.
"Computer! What is GIR doing in the holographic chamber?" Zim demanded an answer as the blinking word on the screen indicated what room was being used. However, he didn't wait for an answer as he stomped down the hall and into the elevator that would take him there. GIR had destroyed five different rooms in his base in one week before Zim installed his program. It wouldn't stop GIR from breaking things but it would give him a good chance to stop GIR in time before he completely destroyed something.
Zim stepped out of the elevator and into chaos. The image being projected was of a city in ruins, tumbled down buildings, rubble all over the streets and fires burning in the background. However, he couldn't enjoy the visage of doom as much as he would have liked as his attention was immediately drawn to the center of the street.
GIR and Mini Moose were running/floating around in circles, GIR had a pair of black pants tied around his neck like a cape and Mini Moose had a pair of black spiky heeled boots on his antlers. Chasing after the two was the Liz-human who was missing from her outfit the items his minions were carrying.
"Dammit, GIR, give me back my pants!" she yelled after him. "And, hell no, Gunn, you are not allowed to upload it to the internet!" She paused in her chase to yell at the sky. "Not a soul on Earth, Got me?"
"What was the point then?" the computer asked, startling Zim. What was his computer doing talking to the human? Was it a hologram?
"The point was that it was fun, and I told you I don't sing for people," Liz-human said then lunged at GIR who giggled as he easily evaded her.
GIR saw him standing by the elevator and squealed in excitement. Changing directions GIR run towards Zim. The Liz-human had not yet spotted him as her attention was on the his robot slave and her pants dangling off his neck.
"Master!" GIR said happily leaping into Zim's arms, who had no choice but to catch GIR or chance being tackled.
"GIR, what are you doing?" Zim said trying to pry his robot slave off.
Liz-human lunged after GIR and a moment too late noticed Zim. Surprise was clear on her face as she crashed into him piling all of them back into the elevator, which equally surprised Zim as he still hadn't decided if she was a hologram or not. GIR had done weirder things.
"What is going on!" Zim shouted trying to pry GIR off his face. He couldn't use his PAK legs effectively in such a cramped space and Liz-human was tangled up in his limbs.
"What are you doing here?" she asked and started to shift to get up from on top of him.
"Skoodge is here. He's looking for you. I'll bring you to him," the computer said sounding amused and suspiciously helpful. Much faster than normal, the elevator zoomed up countering Liz's attempts at movement, then it dumped them out onto the floor in front of the TV in the house level of the base.
"Oh," the Liz-human moaned uncomfortably from under him. "Roller coasters, I like, but sudden ups and downs are not my thing."
Before Zim could react or disentable himself from the human he was yanked off the ground onto his feet and pinned to the wall by Skoodge. His fellow Irken narrowed his eyes at him and hissed, his antennae pointed forward challengingly. "What were you doing to Liz?"
"Eh?" Zim said too surprised by Skoodge's viciousness to fight back. "Zim has done nothing to your human. Release Zim now!"
"Why were you removing her clothing?" Skoodge pressed, his anger still simmering on the surface.
"Release me, Skoodge," Zim narrowed his eyes at his captor. Skoodge may be taller than him, but they weren't on Irk and Zim didn't have to listen to Skoodge. Skoodge had to listen to him.
"Chill, Skoodge, Zim didn't do anything wrong," Liz-human said getting shakily to her feet.
Skoodge dropped Zim and rounded on her, grabbing her wrists and pinning them to the wall above her head with one gloved hand, near to where he had just had Zim pinned. "Explain," he demanded using his free hand to point down at her uncovered legs.
"Hey!" Zim but in, angry at Skoodge for his rough treatment, however what he had been about to say was cut off as a familiar but not nearly as intoxicating scent filled the room. Curious, Zim focused on the Liz-human as the blood candies flooded her cheeks and she scowled.
Skoodge's antennae perked up at the scent and leaned towards the source. They wiggled in the air between Skoodge and his human, much like Zim's own had done with the Dib. Zim watched interested to see what would happen. Skoodge smiled widely at his captured human.
"Why are you at our base?" Skoodge asked.
"For the party!" GIR answered and all eyes turned to him, most having forgotten that he was there too. "With me, and Mr. Piggy, and Mr. Squirrel and all the friends we could find. Then we flew through the sky and exploded!" GIR shouted waving his arms. "And I got to sing," he smiled at them pleased with himself. "Like this! Do dooo do dooooo do do do," he began to sing and showed no signs of stopping.
"GIR took my pants and wore them like a cape," Liz-human said over GIR's singing. "I was chasing him to get them back and literally ran into Zim. It was Gunn's brilliant idea to rocket us here and dump us on the floor in a pile," she said slightly irritated.
"Gunn? Who is this Gunn?" Zim asked. If there was another unknown human in the base his mission would be compromised. "Computer! Scan for intruders!"
"There are no intruders."
"Then where is this other human?",
"There is no other human."
"I named him that," Liz-human said. "It felt weird to call him 'computer'."
"You named my computer?" Zim said scowling at her, only taking a step closer as Skoodge still felt hostile, his scent still said: keep back.
"Yes, I named him Gunn, there is no other human in here. I Just bumped into Zim and GIR was the one that stole my clothes. Now that that's all settled can you let go so I can put my pants on?" she said impatiently to Skoodge.
Skoodge looked down and stared at the Liz-human's bare legs, though Zim saw nothing that would hold the Irken's interest so intently. But... Zim studied the human... her legs were rather long. She raised one and planted her foot on Skoodge's belly.
"I would like to not be half naked anymore. Let me go," she said and even Zim could pick up the warning in her voice. Reluctantly, Skoodge released her and stepped back. "Pants," she said holding out her hand to Zim.
Zim blinked once before realizing that her pants were draped over his shoulder where GIR had accidentally left them. He quickly handed them over pinching the material between his two claws. Who knew how germ-y they were? The human rolled her eyes at him as she took them back and put them on.
"I'm not diseased, Zim, you won't catch anything from me," she said fixing her last button.
"Lies!" Zim said accusingly. "Your human scents have damaged our PAKs." Which reminded him. "Skoodge, Zim needs your PAK data. I want to run a diagnostic scan to figure out how to reverse the damage the humans' stench has done."
"I do not want the effects to be reversed," Skoodge said. "I like the changes. I want to stay a matured adult."
"Zim also wants to mature," Zim said. "But invaders need no one and I do not want to need the Dib-stink to feel taller. And Zim demands that you stop being love-pigs with the Liz-human, it's disguisting." He was slightly afraid that Skoodge would keep growing taller because of the Liz-human's scent. Zim needed to find a way to mature and feel teller before Skoodge actually grew taller again.
"Now hold up," Liz-human interrupted before Skoodge could agree to Zim's demands, because Zim was sure he would. She stood in front of Skoodge and planted her fists on her hips. "Skoodge can make his own decisions about his personal life. You have no say in that. The fact that he and I are dating has nothing to do with you. Besides," she said shifting her weight to one foot and giving him a superior look that Zim hated. "I think you're lying. You don't think it's disgusting, I think you are afraid."
"Afraid!?" Zim said almost shouting. "Zim fears nothing!"
"Oh, I don't believe that for a moment," Liz said and smiled in a way that began to make Zim nervous. It was the same smile when she read his brain-meats. "I think you're afraid of yourself."
"How can I be afraid of myself? That is pure dookie."
"You're afraid of your own feelings," she said slowly approaching him, her scent changing to dominating and combined with her height Zim felt compelled to stay in place. "I think you're afraid to feel what Skoodge is feeling." Like a shark-monster she began slowly circling him. Zim darted his eyes to Skoodge to ask for help but his plea was caught in his throat at the narrowed eyed glare Skoodge was giving him as he watched his human circled around Zim as she spoke. "You are starting to feel possessive of Dib, you want him to belong to you, the feeling is so intense that sometimes you forget about everything else."
"Lies," Zim said softly growing increasingly anxious as she circled him, he wanted to move but her words kept him glued in place like some horrible word glue. Her hand brushed against his back and shoulder as she moved. Her scent was scary and he had no choice but to deny what she said. He did feel possessive of his enemy, it was his enemy, and he did tend to forget about other things when Dib became involved, at least recently, but he would never admit that she was right.
"You want to touch, you want to grab, you want to hold. No, not just want, need." she said whispering her words next to Zim's head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her switch her attention between himself and Skoodge as she continued.
"When he's close you feel a great need to reach out, to touch. You want everyone else to know that he belongs to you, that no other hand can touch him. 'He's mine', you want to shout. 'Keep back, he's mine'," she said softly near his antennae and they flattened against his head.
"And the best part?" she whispered from behind him, her hands on his shoulders. Zim stared straight ahead at Skoodge, who watched intently, his eyes on the human behind Zim. "The best part is that he wants to be yours. Out of every other person in the universe he chose you. He feels the same that you do. He wants to claim you as much as you want to claim him and that feeling fuels you. You feed off the energy and it makes you feel high above everyone else and this feeling is so intense so powerful that you are afraid of yourself."
Zim was almost shaking when she finished speaking. She just said in words the horrible things he had been feeling. The scent Dib released did fuel him, and he wanted more and more of the scent. So much so that he felt a weird needy feeling, a need to be close. And it felt good to know that Zim could make Dib release the scent. And if what the Liz-human said was true, then Dib released the scent because he felt similar needy feelings about Zim. As Zim thought about that the needy feelings increased and it did scare him. "H-How can you read my superior brain?" Zim asked a little fearful.
"I'm not reading your mind, Zim," Liz said pulling back and out of his space. "That's what is feels like to want to be mates with someone, right, Skoodge?" she asked standing in front of him. "Don't you feel that way towards me?"
"Yes," Skoodge hissed softly, his eyes focused on Liz and his scent strong and off-putting. Zim felt like he had to step away, that being near was not a good thing, however he was not about to be intimidated by Skoodge so he stood his ground, even if he suddenly felt an urge to leave.
She reached up and slid her hand along Skoodge's cheek and his tongue snaked out to flick at her wrist. "Do you want me to be yours, Skoodge?" she asked her voice and her scent thick in the air.
"Yes," Skoodge hissed once more and his hands begun to lift.
"Good," she said her tone shifting and her scent clearing from the air. She quickly stepped away just as Skoodge moved to grab her. Skoodge stared at his gloved hands in surprise at the lack of human there. Her scent becoming slightly irritated the two Irkens stared at her, confused by the sudden shift.
"That's what you get for lying to me about Dib," she said scowling at Skoodge. Zim felt the tension leave his body as her scent became less intense.
"You cannot be angry with me," Skoodge said irritated and his scent and antennae position saying he was frustrated.
"Oh, yeah?" the human said defiantly.
"Yes, I did not lie. You asked if I had seen Dib, I had not. Zim would not allow me in the lab. I was told to not speak about Dib. I owe loyalty to Zim, I am loyal to Zim." Skoodge explained and Zim felt a slight zing of pride.
The Liz-human crossed her arms and looked between the two of them, clearly not happy but after a moment she sighed. "Fine. I won't hold it against you anymore. Zim is your Family, I understand."
"We are still potential mates, correct?" Skoodge asked and she nodded. "We should test our compatibility again, just to make sure," he added.
"Test?" Zim asked curious. "What test?"
"Humans have a way to test mating compatibility, if compatible it greatly increases their submissive scent," Skoodge explained.
"That's not..." Liz-human began in protest, but paused as she thought. "Well, kind of, I guess, if you put it that way."
"Explain this test," Zim demanded, he could preform the test on Dib, if he failed then Zim could put these needy feelings to rest, and if Dib passed and became more submissive... Zim felt his antennae tingle at the thought of soaking in his enemy's submissive scent.
"I'll show you," Skoodge said eagerly approaching his human.
"Woah, whoa!" the human backed up with her hands out. "I'm not an exhibitionist, and I'm not in the mood."
"You had the mood scent earlier," Skoodge pointed out.
"I'm female, Skoodge, I have the ability to switch that on and off very quickly."
"Turn it back on," Skoodge said, very reasonably in Zim's opinion.
The Liz-human laughed. "It doesn't work like that, but," she began smiling as an idea occurred to her. "I'll make a deal with you. Beat me in a sparring match and I'll do it, right in front of Zim if that's what you want," she said her head held high and her scent very confident.
"I accept," Skoodge grinned at his human and switched into a fighting stance.
"Not here," Liz-human said. "I don't want to break anything, we'll go back to the hologram room."
"Doo do dooo dooooo! The end," GIR finally ended his song, having been singing it the entire time. "Skoodge and Lizzy are gonna dance," GIR said running ahead of them to the couch. It flipped up and GIR jumped inside.
"GIR!" Zim shouted after his robot slave. "Don't touch anything in the holographic chamber!" Afraid of the damage Zim lept in next, sliding down the tube and landing in the chamber. GIR ran over to Mini Moose, whom was still flying around the holographic fires with the boots on his head. Behind him Zim heard the other two exit the tube.
"M&M, give me back my boots right now," the human-female said running over.
"Nyah," Mini Moose said floating higher and just out of the human's reach.
Skoodge came over to stand next to Zim and in a low voice so the human couldn't hear said, "The test is very accurate. The scents Dib-human released are very similar to the ones Liz makes if you preform the test then you can see if Dib-human wants to be potential mates with you."
"Zim has no need for a mate. Irkens do not need mates. We reproduce through cloning, has your brain gone bad?" Zim asked as he watched the human trying to catch Mini Moose.
"I want to be mates with Liz, not for smeets, but to make her mine forever. If I make her my mate all of her becomes mine," Skoodge said fiercely. After a moment of watching the human, Skoodge turned to look at Zim and when Zim gave him his full attention Skoodge openly smiled. "The test involves a lot of physical contact. It feels very good. I very much want to preform the test again," he said turning his attention back to his human.
"How can contact with a human be good?" Zim mumbled, but his thoughts turned to Dib and the feeling of his claws gripping Dib's large head.
"M&M," Liz-human crooned in a soft voice. "If you give me back my boots, I'll scratch your tummy." Immediately Mini Moose lowered enough for the human to grab her boots. Zim scowled at the human. How was she able to get his minions to listen to her so easily?
While she put them on Mini Moose kept bumping into her. "Yes, hold on," she said and after zipping up her boots she held up her hand. Mini Moose rolled over and the human ran her fingertips over the little round moose's underside. Zim's robot slave wiggled his nubby feet in the air happily. "Good boy," she continued to croon.
"Pet me! Pet me!" GIR ran over to the human and latched onto her leg.
Zim frowned in thought. Was physical contact that appealing to everything? Both his robot slaves seemed to enjoy this 'petting' how would a touch like that feel? Zim imagined Dib rubbing his belly like Liz-human was rubbing Mini Moose and Zim stuck his tongue out in distaste. Then he thought about running his own claws over the pale white flesh of Dib and his antennae twitched. How would the Dib react? What scent would he make?
"You're not wearing your costume, what am I supposed to pet?" the human asked tapping GIR on his metallic head.
"My beetles!" GIR cried happily and opened the top of his head, letting loose a collection of cockroaches. Screaming, the human swung her leg sending GIR flying across the room in a fit giggles. She then hastily smacked off the bugs on her leg all while making very distressing sounds. Skoodge rushed over to help rid the human of the bugs as Zim laughed at the sight. However when the disgusting bugs began to crawl around, Zim sobered up.
"Computer, get rid of these crawly things!" Zim ordered.
"Ugh, gross," the computer said as a tube appeared from the wall and sucked up all the cockroaches.
"GIR, that was bad," Zim scolded his robot. "Do not bring disgusting creatures inside the base. Now go outside and bark at nothing like a normal human dog."
"Yes, Sir!" GIR's eyes turned red momentarily as he saluted him. "I'm gonna eat the mailman," he said running out of the room with Mini Moose following. Once the distractions were gone Zim turned back to find Skoodge trying to reassure the human that there were no crawly bugs on her.
"Cockroaches are so gross," the human whimpered. "Are you sure there's none? Ugh, I feel like they're crawling all over me," she said running her hands anxiously over her arms and down her legs. As she felt down her boot her hand stilled and a look of horror came over her face. She ripped off her boot and threw it away from her running her hands all over her leg as she sat on the floor. "Ohmigod, there's something in my boot. Heeeeennh," she made a weird sound as she rubbed her leg. "Skoodge? Can you check it?"
As Skoodge went to investigate the boot Zim went over and poked the human's head. "What is wrong with you?" Her scent was scared and submissive but more annoying.
"I don't like cockroaches crawling all over me, okay?" she said a bit defensively. "They're gross and big and fast and they smell bad and they are just so creepy. Ugh, I hate them. Oh, man, they were in GIR's head the whole time," she whined.
"Stop with your weird noises," Zim said. "It's annoying."
"Shut up, Zim, how would have you reacted if those things had crawled all over you?" she asked grumpily. Zim thought about it and shuddered.
"They were probably full of germs," Zim said making a disgusted face.
"Covered," Liz agreed as she watched Skoodge examine her boot.
He reached in and pulled something out, it was her boot knife, "This is all I found," he said coming back over to them. The human's face turned red as her embarrassed scent filled the air, causing Skoodge to grin. He handed her back the boot and she slipped it on before placing the small knife back inside.
"What good is such a pitiful weapon?" Zim asked.
"It was able to cut down your flower monster," the human retorted.
Zim tilted his head as it took him a moment to remember what he was talking about, then he became upset. "What?! How did such a stupid weapon defeat my genius creation?"
"It was a flower, Zim," the human said and dared to roll her eyes at him. "A giant mutated monster flower, but still a flower. I just cut the stalk," she shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Zim growled. It was a big deal! She ruined his amazing plan, she was just as bothersome as Dib. "Skoodge!" Zim rounded on his fellow Irken. "Quickly make this infuriatingly annoying human your mate so you can control her and keep her away from Zim's amazing plans!"
"Yes," Skoodge said eager to follow Zim's command and smiled as he approached his human.
"No way," Liz-human said putting her hand on Skoodge's chest to stop him from getting close. "We haven't reached that stage yet, and besides you still have to spar with me."
"Fine, fine, spar first to show Zim this test," Zim said waving his hand at them to start.
The human backed up and took a fighting stance, but Skoodge didn't move. "How are we judging a winner?"
"The first one knocked down or pinned loses, and no blows above the shoulders and no weapons," the human said and smiled at Skoodge as he shifted into a fighting stance as well. "Say, 'go', Zim."
"Do not tell me what to do, human," Zim said haughtily.
The human sighed, "I mean, say 'go' so Skoodge and I can start. We'll start at your command."
"Oh," Zim said perking up and liking the idea that he was basically commanding them to fight for his benefit. "Go."
As soon as the word left his mouth, Skoodge moved. His speed was surprisingly fast as he shot froward towards the human. The speed surprised the human as well and Skoodge took full advantage of her slight delay in response. With his superior Irken speed he grabbed her readied fist, but didn't slow his speed and quickly changed directions to dart past her. With a quick motion he pulled her with him using the momentum to spin her around and pin her arm behind her. Before Skoodge could grab her other hand she lashed out with her leg and Skoodge had to side-step to avoid behind kicked.
In what looked like a sudden idea, Skoodge grabbed the leg that almost kicked him and yanked up, using his superior strength and his height on the human to hoist her off her feet by her foot and her hand and tossed her upwards. She yelped in surprise at behind airborne for a moment before Skoodge shifted and caught her in his arms. He had one arm hooked under her knees and his other around her back his, clawed hand gripping her ribs slightly.
Zim was baffled by the move, because it left Skoodge's face vulnerable and he had been about to point out his horrible mistake until Skoodge turned to face Zim with a triumphantly look on his face and a grumpy human in his arms. Then Zim understood. The rules had been the first one pinned lost and Skoodge had pinned the human to his chest instead of a wall, and Liz-human couldn't fight back because of the rule about no attacks above the shoulders. She could hit his chest, but she lost the moment he caught her. Skoodge proudly marched over to Zim, his winnings in his arms.
"I won," he grinned and gently let go of the pouting human so she could stand on her own feet.
She made a show of brushing herself off and fixing her clothes as Skoodge waited eagerly next to her, his antennae twitching and unable to keep still. Zim also waited for the human so begin the test but she refused to look at either of them and mumbled to her self. "Thought I'd win, or at least last longer than that," if not for their superior hearing neither would have heard her.
"Well, are you going to do it or what?" the computer suddenly spoke up.
The human's head snapped upwards. "You're going to watch too?" she said her voice and scent a mix of anger and panic and embarrassment.
"I don't have any knowledge on this 'compatibility test'," the computer said.
"You have access to the old internet and have no idea what kissing is? I find that hard to believe," the human said.
"Ah. Kissing. A pre-mating ritual."
At that Skoodge jerked his head up in surprise. "You know of this? Do you know about the secret technique humans use call 'seduction'?"
"Yeah."
"Gunn, butt out!"
"Computer, tell Zim how to use this technique!"
"It's used to entice, attract or to persuade another into sexual intercourse."
"Gunn! Seriously!"
"Into mating?" Skoodge mused. "What does the technique involve?"
"I dunno, depends."
"What does it depend on?" Zim asked stepping to stand next to Skoodge, equally interested in figuring out this technique.
"The individual, I guess, and how they respond. But kissing and lots of skin contact usually occurs."
"Why is this 'kissing' so important?" Zim asked. "What are its effects?"
"The mouth is a sensitive and stimulating area and when activated releases certain chemicals into the brain causing a pleasurable feeling."
Skoodge nodded in agreement. "It also increases the intoxicating submissive scent."
"Pheromones," the computer said and when Zim made a confused sound the computer continued to clarify. "It's a chemical that is released to attract a mate. The scent stimulates a reaction in another that draws the two together to mate."
"So these pheromones can act as a way to seduce another into mating?" Skoodge asked.
"Pretty much."
"Is there a way to harvest them?" Skoodge asked and Zim hummed in agreement. He wanted to know how to collect them, there had to someway he could use them to his advantage.
"Not really. But Liz was releasing them earlier and Skoodge was also releasing a similar chemical."
"What? Analyze it!" Zim demanded.
"I did, like forever ago. The human pheromone is similar in chemical design to the taller chemical in your systems. If I had a concentrated sample of both I could tell you more, but Skoodge and Liz would have to release a great amount at the same time and that's impossible right now."
"Why?" Zim frowned.
"Because Liz already left."
"What?!" Zim and Skoodge said in unison looking around and just noticing the human's absence.
"Yeah, she left while you were asking questions. She got a text from Dib asking her to help him out of a tree. She said she owed you one, Skoodge, and that she would meet with you tomorrow."
"Oh, yeah, I did leave Dib like that," Zim said amused that Dib was still stuck. Next to him Skoodge pouted but his antenna fell flat and resigned. "Skoodge, Zim will collect your PAK's data now and you can explain to me this 'kissing' thing. Tomorrow after skool I will collect the sample from you and Liz-human together."
Skoodge nodded with a sigh and followed Zim to the lab.
More intense plot stuff next chapter! ;)