I don't own Invader Zim okay? Things are really ramping up in this story and I hope to wrap this whole thing up soon. I had a big plan for these couple of chapters but they had to be broken apart. Anyway, enough of this A/N, on with the fic.
Dib looked around Seamus's base for anything that would be useful in hiding his face. He was going to head out to the Promotion ceremony and be there for Zim, even if he couldn't be there beside him. Besides, if he was going to be killed either way, he wanted to see Zim one last time. Living in this run down old warehouse was no way to live when there was bigger things to worry about in the world at the moment. Seamus looked up from his computer screens and saw Dib rustling around in a bag of old moldy clothes.
"Just what are you doing royal consort?" Seamus said.
"Would you please stop calling me that?" Dib sighed rolling his eyes. "And if you must know, I am going to see my consort get coronate or in an Irken's case Promoted. It's going to be pretty painful for him." Dib sighed, remember the first time Zim was Promoted. He was in a whole other part of the base and he had heard it happening. Maybe the procedure was different for when one was becoming Tallest, but if it cost him his life, he was going to be there for Zim.
"I would worry less about your face and more about your hair." Seamus said.
"Why?" Dib asked looking at him annoyed.
"Because it's so pointy and sticks up a lot. You're wanted. Wanted bad. And that hair can get you spotted a mile away." Seamus said.
"There's not much I can do with it. It just does that." Dib said, placing his hands on the top of his hair. He pressed it down and it sprung back up. "See."
"We could cut it off." Seamus suggested.
"NO!" Dib said jumping back. "It's just... I'm kind of... proud of my hair..."
"It's so weird looking..." Seamus said. "And practically speaking, it makes your ability to blend into a crowd next to zilch." However, he could see that getting out there meant a lot to Dib, so he looked around. "Can you smoosh it down? Like in a helmet?"
"It's not very comfortable but yeah." Dib said.
"Well comfort isn't top priority here." He said as he dug up a racing helmet. "Think this is what you are looking for. It will cover most of your face and keep your hair pressed down." Seamus said as he passed the helmet to Dib. "And you will want to leave your trench coat here."
"WHY?" Dib yelled. "I want Zim to know I'm out there and if I can't show my face or hair then how will he know?"
"You doubt your guy's bond?" Seamus said looking at Dib. "You've been together for years now. Been close and intimate for a very long time. Heck you were frienimes before this. If he doesn't know it's you out in the crowd even though it won't be like some dramatic reveal like in the cheezy romantic movies, then you have bigger things to worry about as all would be lost then. If Zim's as dedicated to the cause as you, Gaz and Christie are, then you have nothing to worry about. He'll be thinking of some way to use this promotion to get things to the way they should be."
Dib looked at Seamus and paused. He had a point. Zim knew him well. Better than anyone else. Only person who would come close is Gaz. If Zim really could not tell his presence there, then all was indeed lost. If it was, well he'd figure out what to do if that was the case. Dib didn't want to think about it but there was always the chance. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Corruption was what made almost all governments function and if Zim used that corruption to get what they wanted, it would be worth it. Now was not the time to be philosophical and ask if the ends did justify the means. "You're right." Dib said as he looked down at the helmet. I don't need the visor up so he'll be able to see my eyes.
"Fair enough. Most guards and people can't tell people by eyes alone anyway." Seamus said. "Here is a black jacket that goes with it and you can wear your boots. They're not personalized on the sole and your foot size isn't too uncommon so it wouldn't be an automatic suspicion."
"You're more tactically minded than I thought you were." Dib said.
"You learn some stuff playing Call of Duty Black Ops." Seamus smiled. "It was part of the propaganda department to keep the humans entertained and quiet. Same with the Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft and Animal Crossing series. Escapism can be used on humans to keep them quiet when you have then absorbed in something."
"Yeah. That's part of the reason Gaz was wrapped up in those all those years." Dib sighed looking up at the ceiling. "Mom was killed when we were young, I mean I was only 2 and she was 1. I have faint memories of her, and Gaz wouldn't have much if any at all. Dad was never there,"
"So she'd get into the games to have something she could control. A boss she could fight and win. A world she could save because her own didn't offer that." Seamus said. "Look I read a lot and learned a lot when I was censoring stuff. They wanted to control knowledge in all human aspects. Your average person doesn't seek it. Some do. And knowledge spreads. But the thing they have over the government's response to things like Roswell and Project Blue Book," at this Dib perked up. Anyone who had even the faintest knowledge of extraterrestrial visits to Earth would know about it. "is they knew how to make things make sense. Some of them stood over my shoulder and helped me to come up with questions to ask and to censor what wouldn't lead to that answer."
"Media is powerful." Dib said.
"Too powerful." Seamus said. "One thing Irk was planning in case of rebels before I was sent off was to spread a human virus and use the media to keep humans scared and if done with the right faces and outlets, it will be done. Too easy."
Dib put on his boots and jacket and put the helmet under his arm. "I'm heading out. I'm going to see the biggest day of the one I love's life. And if it costs me my life, so what. I cannot hide anymore."
"Says the one wearing a racing helmet to the Promotion..." Seamus laughed.
"You know, you can be real informative then be a total idiot." Dib rolled his eyes.
"Be there for your man royal consort." Seamus said.
"I think I will. And you won't stop calling me that, will you?" Dib sighed.
"Nope." Seamus said. Dib looked at him annoyed. " Good luck. Be safe. This is a game of chess and Zim is the queen piece now."
"Is that a jab?" Dib asked, sightly offended.
"No, he's being promoted to royalty and do whatever the hell he damn well pleases, like the queen in chess. Speaking like chess, you might be the king as you need protecting and can move only one space at a time. The goal piece is practically useless in some cases." Seamus said as Dib looked more annoyed. "But is the most valuable." He said, trying to make his offense seem less hurtful.
"I'll keep that in mind..." Dib said rolling his eyes and heading out the door.
"Sorry dude." Seamus replied. "Hopefully by the end of the day you can be with your man again."
"That's a big hope." He sighed as he put the helmet on.
"Can only live 3 seconds without out it buddy." Seamus smiled.
Zim looked out at the stage being built for his Promotion. He remembered when he was Promoted to General and how painful it was. And that was when just Red and Purple and unknown to them Dib were watching. Now the whole city and cameras broadcasting it to the globe and the whole galaxy even, he was scared. Purple came over and thumped him on the back. "Don't worry. If you scream in pain, no one will won't be seen as weakness. If they do see it that way, we'll just kill them. Speaking of killing, you told our little rebel girls their fate right?"
"Yep." Zim said as he placed his hand on his laser pistol. "This baby will be put to those who deserve it." He added with a deadly smirk.
"Good. It's always good for a new Tallest to make his authority seen as total and final. And by killing scum that gave you trouble, you do that." Purple said.
Zim smirked and turned back to the window where he saw the stadium being finished and he saw a man wearing a helmet and black jacket sit on a box near the front tapping his foot. Why does that random human seem familiar... Zim thought. It couldn't be... Could it? He is risking a lot... But then again, Dib is brave when riled up. He's not being foolish at least. Good on him He thought with a smile as he stared at the clock. At noon, he was going to be dragged on stage, after Purple gave a speech blowing smoke up his ass, he would be painfully promoted. My plan had better work. It's the only one I got and it's totally crazy. He sighed as he watched the clock tick by. "Two hours." he said.
"Yep." Purple said. "And at 11, we are getting those two bitches out of jail, and dragging them on stage and at noon, starting the ceremony."
"I can't wait..." Zim said rolling his eyes
"Oh you'll love the job when you get used to it." Purple said.
After what seemed to be eternity, Purple led Zim and some of the guards to the dungeons below the tower to lead Gaz and Christie to the stage. Frankly, Zim was perfectly fine with killing Christie but he couldn't kill Gaz. He had felt the blood on his hands from killing Professor Membrane and he was going to take that secret with him to his grave. But if he did have to kill Gaz out there on the stage, there was no way he could lie about that one. Dib is likely out there already waiting on me. He is not one to let me suffer Promotion without being there for me, even if he has to hide himself. Zim looked at Purple and sighed. "I won't be killing the prisoners until after the Promotion, right?"
"Of course. You need to tower over them with your might and what better than as Tallest?" Purple said.
"Good." Zim said. Knowing this means he had some time before having to kill them and he may find a way out of having to do so.
Purple stopped at the cell and order the guards forward. "Ladies, looks like it's time. You'll be shackled up and led to the stage. Once Zim gets Promoted for his great deeds in capturing you two pains in my ass, he'll deliver the final blow. That's okay?"
"Fine." Gaz said as she was shackled and headed along.
"Whatever." Christie said.
"See you have no witty remarks this time?" Purple said.
"I'm saving it for the stage." Christie said.
"Me too." Gaz said.
"Huh?" Purple asked.
"Earth Tradition lets those being executed give a final statement. Humor them, they're going to die anyway. Nothing they can say will really rile up humans or rebels any more, so just let them have that." Zim said. "Didn't you once say that giving a prisoner their last words was like the movies?"
"Sure. Makes things more awesome." Purple sighed.
"I'm sure it will be unforgettable." Zim said. "Really interesting things are said at an execution."
"They sure are." Purple said.
Time passed as the crowd gathered meekly at the stage, Dib sat quietly and stared intently at the stage. It appeared at noon was when it was going to begin and he flipped up the visor of the helmet so Zim could possibly see his eyes. Looking down at his watch he saw it was minutes to noon and he sighed. "Not much longer now..." He whispered. Two guards came across the stage and led Gaz and Christie to two raised platforms they were chained to. Dib gulped. He knew that they knew Gaz was part of the attack and were going to kill her for it. Do something Zim! You have got to protect them too! Gaz need not die! Christie is the one that got the fire in us to attempt to rebel. Come on! Dib thought as he bit his lip so hard he tasted blood on his tongue.
Purple stepped up to the microphone and began to speak. "Human pig smellies of Earth. As you were told before, today is a very special day. First of all, you have heard unfortunately that Tallest Red has been killed." Purple said as the people in the crowd gasped. "I guess some of you haven't been paying full attention to what goes on. Oh well. If you did, you may not even be conquered today. But you are. And it's a little late now to start questioning things. You're fucked. So back to what I was saying. Red was killed by these two bitches here." With this Purple spat on Gaz, and Zim, following his lead and wanting to keep the facade going as long as he needed it to, spat on Christie.
"You wanted to do that to me." Christie moaned at Zim under her breath, rattling her chains.
"You know I did. For a very long time. I have wanted to kill you you annoying little bitch." Zim said.
"Just hold your horses, you're not Promoted yet." Purple laughed. "You see that once General Zim is promoted to my new Co-Tallest, he will avenge his predecessor's death by killing these two who killed him. Now as it is done in the movies and to make this more entertaining for you two, last words ladies?"
"I have not come here to preach a sermon; I have come here to die." Gaz said simply spitting in Purple's eye. "And I think we're even now."
Dib clenched his fist in his hands. That was so like her. He had wanted to run the stage but he saw Zim look over at him. It was as if he knew that he was there for him. Something in Zim's eyes told him there was a plan going on. Please for the love of God, make those last words a lie... Dib hoped to himself. I feel so useless. Like the king piece of chess...
"Got some spunk in you, don't you?" Purple said. "I'll love to see that go from your eyes. Now to the Eleison brat. Finally ending that whole mess."
"Do not think, good people, that I am sorry to die, or that I have done anything to deserve this death." Christie began. I am not going to sound like some little avenger brat if I am going to be killed. "Just know that I, as young and nothing as I am using only what was given to me by nature and my determination have taken down the Tallest who was actually doing his job and not one who just was there for the ride. And fear may have been in me in my actions, it never held me back and is only a hindrance if one makes it."
"Shut up." Purple said. "Let's get this Promotion started!" He motioned to Zim who looked as solum as Gaz and Christie did. "Do you swear by Miyuki's name that you will uphold your duties to the Irken Empire as best as you can?"
"I swear." Zim said as royal attendants came and placed the Tallest attire around him, around his hands and cut off one of his fingers. "OW!"
"You'll get used to it. Now, General Zim, for your great service and ability in service to this Empire, I promote you to Tallest." And in blink of an eye, pink light flew around Zim and he began to grow into the attire and rose to meet Purple eye for eye in height. Dib looked on in horror. He knew that this was a brief event in the grand scheme of things, but adding over 18 inches in one's height would not be a pleasant experience. He clenched his fists tighter and bit on his lip harder. Don't betray it all yet. You know he's got a plan. Trust him. Trust him... Trust him... As Dib opened his eyes, he saw Zim, now taller, and looking around.
"And promotion is complete." Purple said. "Quick."
"Yeah..." Zim said. "And as you said, my first official act as Tallest will be to get rid of the scum making my job a hassle."
"Yep." Purple said as he handed Zim the laser pistol.
"It will feel so good to take care of the scum once and for all and I can live my life as it should be." Zim said with an evil smile as Dib, Gaz and Christie stared at him, helplessly transfixed. Dib looked on, was Zim really going to kill Gaz? Where did his loyalty belong? As soon as Dib started to run to the stage, Zim looked at Purple and pulled the trigger on his laser pistol. "I am a man of my word." And with that, Purple fell to the ground dead.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Long? Short? Let me know in a review. Hope you were on the edge of your seat as I was while writing it and no one interrupts you being ingenious reading this as they did while I was writing it. (Some people can't take a hint.) Some of Gaz and Christie's last words came from some of what was rumored to be Anne Boleyn's last words. Fun historical fact there. Anyway, I don't have much else to say here, so remember to read (well you just did) and to review. Ciao for now,
otherrealmwriter
aka
Realm.