Zim: Just a simple reminder that the songs here are by their perspective owners as such and for fun purposes only.
Gaz: Same as the Invader Zim franchise that we adore and love. Now less talk and more rock!
Crow: Oh, yeah! Kick it!
Chapter 11: Gaz's Rockin' Birthday Pt. 1
Gaz was stirring as she could herself no longer being carried on Zim's back. Her eyes were a bit blurry as she was getting up from her peaceful nap. Once then, she started to rub her eyes and regain her vision again to see that she was in a room where the inside was white with interior design of olive branch leaves, a velvet couch, shag carpet floors, and a small bar with fruits and water bottles.
While she was looking around, Gaz could hear some echoing music and people clamoring from the distance. "Where am I?" She asked and looked around find no Zim anywhere. "Zim?"
Suddenly, the door was knocking and she could hear a faint voice on the other side. "Gaz? Hey Gaz, it's me, Zim! Are you awake?"
"Yeah, I am." She replied while sitting up straight on the couch.
Zim slightly opened the door and stuck his head out for her to see him. "Oh, great! I'm glad you're up on time!"
"On time for what? And where are we?" It doesn't look like your house." Gaz stated.
"Well...we're actually in the backstage of the Apollo Theater!" Zim grinned,
Gaz blinked her eyes twice and wondered what Zim just said. "Um...we're where now exactly?"
"We're inside the historic building to enjoy free snacks and listen to some of the best music around. Since the day was practically something, I thought I could let you enjoy some good entertainment and make tonight special for you." Zim said wth a happy smile.
Gaz smiled a bit and thought it was sweet of him to do that. "Aww, Zim, thank you. You didn't have to do that."
"Oh, but trust me on this. You'll be even more surprised to see what I have for you. While I was dropping you off here in this room, I've met some guys who will love to see you." Zim said.
Gaz was confused and asked, "Um...who would want to see me? Friends of yours?"
"Close to it!" Zim grinned. Now, before I introduce you to them, I want you to promise me that you won't freak out, ok?"
"Um...okay?" The goth girl replied. "So who are your friends?"
Zim chuckled as he moved his head out of the way and closed the door. Once then, the door was all the open and Gaz suddenly gasped in shock to not believe who was by the door: "Gaz Membrane, meet Spencer Charnas and Chris Motionless!"
The goth girl was unable to process what had just happened. There she was, inside the room, meeting the singers of her two favorite bands. It was like she was still dreaming and it was too good to be true for anything to happen like this. However, Spencer was walking up to Gaz to greet her.
"Hey, Miss Membrane. It's a pleasure to meet one of our fans tonight." He said in a nice tone. Even hearing his voice made Gaz more nervous as she was staring right at him while trying to find the right words.
"I-I...I-I, um...uh...hi." Gaz was turning red with embarrassment to speak in front of her best frontman.
"It's okay, miss. It happens all the time. You seem like a good person with a great attitude to be awesome." Spencer replied.
Gaz simply moved her hair behind her left ear and blushed softly from the compliment. "T-Thanks."
"It's nice to have you here at the Apollo Theater. Your friend here told us about how you were a huge fan of our work." Chris stated.
Gaz looked at Zim as he shrugged his shoulders. "Thought you might love the surprise."
"But how did you get tickets here?! They were sold out!" Gaz complied.
"You can thank Lucas for that. He helped out with setting up the equipment for the guys and was a part-time roadie for the summer. And, because he was cool with me, Lucas gave me some passes as well to meet these guys. I thought I would ask Zita or Keef to come along, but I wanted you to experience this." Zim answered with a smile.
Gaz was feeling her heart beating with joy and couldn't think of what to do to Zim at this point. So, she smiled and said, "Wow, Zim, that's so thoughtful."
"Oh, and there's more news!"
"There's more?!"
Zim looked over to Spencer and said, "Would you mind telling her?"
Spencer nodded and spoke to Gaz. "The boys and I were getting ready for our Halloween gig here to celebrate the spookiest time early in this city. We were finally going to make it happen here as this was the first time performing at this spot. Suddenly, some insane jackass was squirming around in the back of the police car and making the driver swerving around the road. He hit the bus and nearly made us hit a few things along the way."
Chris continued for him. "Although we were okay, my drummer and his lead guitarist were not so lucky as one sprained his leg and the other had a broken wrist. Out of all the times to perform, this idiot was acting stupid and made us cancel the show!"
Gaz gasped in shock and felt a little pissed. Her favorite rock bands were about to cancel the show because some cops couldn't control their perp. She always wanted to go to a concert when she was young and wanted to experience how it is. But now, those dreams were dashed away by one person!
"However," Spencer said, "we were about to cancel. But Zim here wanted to see if there was anything that could be done. We needed to find some replacements to help us out with the bands and help save the show."
"Oh! Well, that's great! But...who volunteered to help you guys?" Gaz asked.
Chris smirked as he was looking at Gaz. "Well...we've found our replacements."
Gaz blinked her eyes three times and asked, "Excuse me?"
"Yeah, you were nominated to be the perfect drummer for tonight's concert!" Chris stated. "Are you excited?!"
"Wait, what?!" Gaz exclaimed as she was shocked that she, of all people, volunteered to help out the band. "I-I'm...I'm flattered, but...w-why me?! Who told you I could play drums?!"
"Zim told us that you could." Spencer answered.
Gaz looked at her friend in shock. "Zim?!"
"I thought you get the chance to show off your impressive skills to the fans out there." Zim said calmly.
Gaz, however, was shocked and frantically went up to Zim to shake him. "ARE YOU INSANE?! I've never performed like this in front of a huge crowd of people!"
"You did while you were at the arcade."
"That was different! It was from a game; not real life! I only play when I'm upset or needed to let some steam out of my system! But this...I-I...just too nervous...a-and-"
Gaz soon paused as he felt her shoulders being held and Zim calming her down. It was as if she was breathing softly from ranting to Zim about why she volunteered for something so...daring.
"By the way you were speaking, I'd say you were nervous?" Zim stated with curiosity.
"No duh, Zim! I'm just...I just don't want to embarrass myself in front of them! I-I don't want to make a fool of myself for performing and missing some notes." Gaz sighed to calm herself. "Besides...I'm not brave like you to do this."
Zim chuckled softly and knew that this wasn't the first time someone had the same problem like this before. He looked at her in the eyes and said, "Trust me when I said I've been through this situation before."
Gaz asked, "You have?"
"Indeed," Zim replied. "When I was performing to a huge crowd, I thought I would get real sick after a band member was injured. Although I would agree, I was taking a deep breath and literally going with the flow. When I started playing, I was feeling better and kept on playing for kicks. Gaz, I know you have the talent and you can be brave to handle this crowd. I know you'll do great and I have faith in you."
Gaz was stunned to hear that from Zim and knew that he was right. For years, she always wanted what it's like to join a rock band and perform on stage. Yet she was too nervous and scared to play in front of huge crowds when she was young. But now, this was her chance to show the world how well she can play.
Upon getting out of her trance, Gaz looked at Zim and nodded her head. "Okay, Zim, I'll do it."
Chris and Spencer looked at this and were curious to how these two were connecting in a good way. Zim told them that him and Gaz were friends, but something says that they might be something more.
"Five bucks she'll make the first move on him tonight." Spencer stated quietly.
"Put me up for ten to the other guy," smirked Chris as they quickly shook hands. "Alright, then! Since the other guys are playing, that will give you enough time to get dressed up for tonight's event."
"Costumes? Hmm, that's new. But...I don't have one." Gaz said.
"Oh, we got that planned out. We have a few pals of ours that can suit you up to something scary and awesome! But now, we have these costumes and hopefully they will be to your likings." Spencer said as he pulled out some two photos and showed them.
Once they took a look at the photos, Zim and Gaz were surprised and awestrucked to see what they would wear. Gaz broke the silence and said, "So...when do we get to try them? These are perfect!"
"I agree! And I used to watch a movie about this one!" Zim grinned. "When do we perform?"
"Motionless In White will be first as Zim would be their guitarist and Gaz will be our drummer as the last band to play." Spencer answered.
Gaz gasped. "Really?! Oh, my God! I can't believe I get to play with Ice Nine Kills! Zim, you're the best to make my day so fucking amazing!" She gave him a kiss on the cheek and hugged him tight.
Zim soon blushed red and replied, "Um...y-you're welcome."
Chris and Spencer chuckled at this and knew these two would be something more for tonight. After the hug, Zim and Gaz were escorted to the dressing rooms to get themselves ready for what will be the best Halloween concert at the Apollo Theater.
Later…
The setup on the stage was Halloween-based and the fans were awaiting the next band to show up and perform. They were believing some rumors that the show was going to get cancelled due to an incident. But at the last minute, two bands found replacements on time and they resumed the schedule.
Just then, the lights were off and the crowd was starting to cheer as they knew who would be the first to play. The sound of a horse softly moving around as the atmosphere was starting to have smoke coming out like a fog. The jack-o-lanterns were lighting up with small flames and the screen portrayed a full moon to give out an eerie theme. The people were cheering as an unknown figure appeared from the shadows and starting to speak.
"Hello, my fellow creatures." The figure said as the crowds started screaming. "Prepare to make your night SO FUCKING AWESOME!"
And with that, the lights were on and the cloaked figure was Chris Motionless as his crew was revealed as well. And with a surprising twist, Zim was now dressed as a newer version of Sweeney Todd and his face was painted halfway of a skull. The band was ready and started off playing their first song.
[Undead Ahead 2: The Tale Of The Midnight Ride]
Everyone that you love is dead
Unholy ghost of Crane's delirium!
Trace the fear of your silhouette
You wanted madness...
Undead ahead!
Oh, how the wind it whispers
The moonlit fog ignites!
With Lucifer as witness
The pumpkin rides tonight!
Crimson coagulates
Severed head bouquet
Body incomplete
Sealer of your fate
Crimson calligraphy
Written on the trees
Creature from the grave
Headless and hellbent for me!
Head-less!
Head-less!
Head-less!
Head-less!
Line the streets
Murder for keeps!
That's how you play trick or treat with a heart beat!
Bloody does he, bloody does he storm through the gate way?
(Race the sunset, head for the bridge!)
You cannot kill that which has
No soul or life to take
The blood of our beloved
The Hessian comes to claim!
Crimson coagulates
Severed head bouquet
Body incomplete
Sealer of your fate
Crimson calligraphy
Written on the trees
Creature from the grave
Headless and hellbent for me!
The woods, the woods
The bridge of souls too far to reach
You can't escape
Damnation on all hallows eve
This place is haunted!
The woods, the woods
The bridge of souls too far to reach
You can't escape
Damnation on all hallows eve!
Crimson coagulates
Severed head bouquet
Body incomplete
Sealer of your fate
Crimson calligraphy
Written on the trees
Creature from the grave
Headless and hellbent for me!
Live or die in the tale of the midnight ride
Where reality and superstition collide
Close your eyes, kiss your dearest Katrina goodbye
And beware of the tale, tale of the midnight ride!
Revenge is cold and their heads will roll!
Head-less!
Head-less!
Head-less!
Menace in the moonlight!
The crowd was impressed by the song as they were cheering that Zim was starting off better on his debut. He waved to everyone and enjoyed the moment. But soon, he had no time to rest as the next song was playing and he knew it so well.
[Reincarnate]
Get up!
You pull the trigger just for fun
Forgetting I'm a loaded gun
So hate me for the things I've done
And not for what I've now become
I want this
I need this
I love it
Crawling from hell
Fallen from grace
And there is nothing left to take
Leaving the past to the grave
So we can reincarnate
You sit upon your throne of filth
Condemning what you haven't built
So hate me cause you're standing still
Watching while I shoot to kill
I live this
I breathe this
You crave it
Crawling from hell
Fallen from grace
And there is nothing left to take
Leaving the past to the grave
So we can reincarnate
There's one thing you forget
You can't make me play dead
I've swallowed your bullshit
No respect
You make me fucking sick
Give me a reason!
I won't bite my tongue
I am not afraid spineless
A dominion of nothing is all you will reign
You laugh but what did you create
Bitch you give a fucking aspirin a headache
Through hell
From grace
There's nothing left
Crawling from hell
Fallen from grace
There's nothing left for you to take
Driving the nail through my mistakes
So we can reincarnate
When we lie down, we're sore and sick
We fall down, sink or swim
Underground
The remedy for who we are
And what lies beneath
Reincarnate!
"FUCK YEAH!" Chris shouted with excitement he gave his bandmates high-fives. Zim was seriously hyped and was glad that Lucas pulled through with the tickets and the passes. In the back, Gaz was watching her best friend performing well. Still, she was nervous about when it's her turn. Gaz shook that feeling away and felt calm that someone was watching her from above to know that she'll do great. The goth girl grasped her necklace and knew she would be ready. The next song was about to play and was shocked to what the song was
[Another Life]
If I can't let you go will darkness divide?
For the fiction of love is the truth of our lies
We were playing for keeps, but we both knew the cost
Now the only way out's in your heart-shaped box
But I hate that it seemed you were never enough
We were broken and bleeding but never gave up
And I hate that I made you the enemy
And I hate that your heart was the casualty
Now I hate that I need you
As we rest here alone like notes on a page
The finest to compose could not play our pain
With a candle through time I can still see your ghost
But I can't close my eyes, for it
For it is there where you haunt me most
Where you haunt me most
I hate that it seemed you were never enough
We were broken and bleeding but never gave up
And I hope that I sing through your memory
As we echo through time in the melody
Now I hate that I need you
And I hear you now when you said "it hurt
But it had to fall, fall apart to work"
As I see you now in what's left of me
Is it too late to plead insanity?
'Cause I hate that It seemed you were never enough
You were broken and bleeding in the name of love
And I hope that we meet in another life
I hope that we meet in another life
I don't hate that I need you
I don't hate that I need you
I don't hate that I need you
After the song was done, nearly half of the fans were in tears and Zim was never expecting this to happen. Although, the song did remind him of some things today and maybe thought it was something else. Like a strange feeling in his gut that he wanted to feel...loved. But Zim quickly shook the feeling and faced the audience.
Gaz was having a tear coming down after hearing that song. It was one of her favorites and it was something dear to her if she will ever feel loved by anyone. Mostly Zim. Still, Gaz would think what it would be like to date Zim. Will he ever feel the same way? Would they have fights? If they would ever…? She quickly shook her thoughts and kept quiet about it. It wasn't that time yet; even what she went through. Maybe when the time comes and eager for Zim to help her with it.
"Alright, you creatures from the fucking world! Are you ready for the last two songs?!" Chris shouted while the fans cheered on. "That's awesome! And before we do, I want you guys to show some love for the guy to help us keep this show going and kicking some serious ass here tonight! Give it up for Zim...Marcus...Allin!"
Zim smiled and waved to everyone as they cheered him on. It was actually a nice feeling for him to have people respecting him for who he was and not forced to become someone dangerous. 'Sis...I wish you were here to see this. You would've loved this…' Zim thought as he put on a soft smile and got ready for another song.
[Disguise]
Get up, get up!
Fuck!
(Get out, never get out, never get out, never)
(Never let go, never let go, never go)
Spiraling inside my own disguise
This is my design
But we're not here together
Mirror mirror, tell me who you see
Am I you or me?
I can never remember
(But you can't hide forever)
I found myself by losing hope
I lost my way to find a home
I hid myself, to stay alive
Now I'm ready to face my disguise
(Get out, never get out, never get out, never)
(Never let go, never let go, never go)
I am locked within the box I built from the inside out
Reassured by my doubt, I
I don't want this fucking co-dependent vice
But desperate measures call for desperate lies (desperate lies)
I found myself by losing hope
I lost my way to find a home
I hid myself to stay alive
Now I'm ready to face my disguise
Sick of wearing a mask
Sick of hiding my face
Sick of every motherfucker that is in my way
Sick of digging for answers
While you bury the truth
Fuck your method to my sadness, I will bury you
Dig!
I will not become a figure of my mistakes
I will not become the mask, fear is not my fate
You can't turn down anger
You can't silence pain
You will not put out the fire that burns in me
That burns in me
I sold my soul to my disguise
I hid myself to stay alive
I found myself by losing hope
I lost my way to find a home
I hid myself to spite my eyes
I was losing myself in my disguise
Fear I follow
Safe in sorrow (my disguise)
With time l borrowed
I'm ready to face my disguise
(Get down, never get down, never get down, never)
(Never let go, never let go, never go)
(Get out, never get out, never get out, never)
(Never let go, never let go, never go)
[Creature X: To The Grave]
YEAH!
We sung our lungs out to reach you
Spilling our guts on the pavement that we roamed (far from home)
This is my life's work
Forever grateful that you made your hearts our home
Cursed, damned, and broken
With the sum of my failures all declared in a moment
Cursed, damned, and broken
Lost, sick, and left unspoken
I will take this to the grave
I was waiting for my chance to find the life
I was chasing
My god, what have I become...?
A decade in the making
I wore my shame on my sleeve
And put my pain on display for all to see (for all to see)
This is my life's work (my life's work)
What felt like fire but without a thing to burn turned into a scorched earth
Step through (step-through) the door (the door)
10 years (10 years) 10 more
I was waiting for my chance to find the life
I was chasing
My god, what have I become...?
A decade in the making
I'll take this to the grave
[Breakdown]
There's always a struggle you don't see (don't see)
Living in fear I proved myself to me
Forever stepping through the door to the unknown
10 years, 10 more
I was waiting for my chance to find the life
I was chasing
My god, what have I become...?
A decade in the making
[Post-Chorus]
I'll talk this to my grave
With no stain washed away
I'll talk this to my grave
With no stain washed away
GO!
I'll take this to my grave!
"What a way to make this night happen! Thank you for coming on this wicked night! Trust me: We will be back for more haunting melodies! We are Motionless In White and we wish you all a Happy Halloween, you creatures! Good. Fucking. Night!" Chris shouted as the crowd cheered them on. Once they got together, the band took a bow and headed back to the backstage area.
The last act wouldn't start until 10 minutes so Zim and Chris were passing the time to talk about their performance.
"I swear, man, you were shredding the guitar like it was nothing! And the backup singing?! Nearly blew my mind!" Chris stated.
Zim chuckled. "Well, I have been practicing for awhile and never thought that I could memorize the notes easily."
"Dude, you saved the band and made one hell of a debut out there! We owe you the next time we need an extra hand."
Zim shook Chris's hand and replied, "I'll remember it. I wouldn't mind one bit."
"Gentlemen." The guys turned around to see Spencer appearing with his costume on and approaching them. "Tonight has been fun and my band's going to end the night with a bang. I was blown by your performance, Zim. Nice job!"
"Thanks! It wasn't easy, but I think tonight was actually the best one I've ever had." Zim stated with a smile.
"I'm glad you've enjoyed it," said Spencer. "Right now, we are about to get ready for the main event as we finally get to play and we are glad that we didn't get to cancel our show."
"We didn't want to let the fans down, so it's cool that we get to help out." Zim said. "Plus, I get to enjoy my weekend to do stuff like this!"
"Awesome!" Spencer answered.
"And speaking of which: It seems that you are missing one person in your group. Where's Gaz?" Zim asked.
"Look behind you."
Zim looked behind him and felt his whole heart skipping a sudden beat to look at something so...breathtaking. In front of him was Gaz Membrane wearing a face paint of something from the Day of The Dead festival with a spider on her left cheek, her hair tied to a bun with a red orchid, a dark purple baggy shirt with a black fishnet shirt underneath, new Ice Nine Kills fingerless arm sleeves, tight black pants, and black boots.
"Gaz…?" Zim spoke softly as he soon felt his cheeks warming up from her touch. And it wasn't doing better as her eyes were more calm, yet seductive.
"Hello, Zim. What do you think?"
TBC