Twice in a Blue Moon ----------------------------------------------------
Part Three: Twice in a Blue Moon
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"Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks"
- Herodutus
The entire troop of guards had been told nobody leaves, nobody enters. It was a lock down. Anyone suspicious would be shot on site. Zim's troops were racing to have at least one person each door and window, but this was difficult because Zim's fortress was so large. Gaz slowly walked the halls, a look of worry on her face. Yes, she was concerned for her brother. She knew Zim had something terrible in store for him. What exactly, she didn't know. But still, she had that sinking feeling. Why did she have to be captain anyway?
Dib and Katherine were racing against time. Soon the whole place would be blocked off, leaving them trapped. Dib had the light peach folder clutched protectively against his chest. Inside were all sorts of passwords and undeniable evidence of Zim's tyranny and contempt for humans. With this shown to the public, maybe then would they stop following their leader blindly into humanity's end. It was their last shred of hope. This one overstuffed, old folder had to be saved.

Zim was strutting down a corridor, bodyguards at either side of him. The pitiful Dib had stolen the secret file, along with releasing another prisoner. Damn him, Zim thought, clenching his zipper like teeth. But it would be okay in the end, Zim reassured himself. Dib was just a minuscule threat. Nothing more than a dirty animal. Zim grinned maniacally at the thought of revenge.

"We're getting close to the exit, just a little further." he called out to Katherine.
"I can see the door ahead, it's not guarded yet!" she cried back.
Together they ran down the hall, urging their legs forward. Finally they burst through the heavy doors, which had been left unlocked by careless guards in a hurry. They were home free. They had escaped. Darting in and out of empty alleys, the two worked their way out of the deserted city. Again, they stopped and rested, sitting behind a stack of boxes in an narrow corridor between buildings.
"Looks like we're gonna make it after all." Dib stated, smiling weakly.
"Yep. This'll make for quite a story to tell the rest of the resistance" Katherine said, managing a grin.
"There's still a resistance movement going on?" he asked, taken aback.
"Uh-huh. Inspired by you. I know because they tried to break me out several times."
"Wow. I thought maybe we were dying out. I mean, I've been in hiding for awhile. I wasn't quite sure. And Zim told me.."
"Zim's one giant lie...but so long as people can think for themselves, someone will speak out." Katherine interrupted.
Dib paused for a moment, and then spoke. "We should get going again." And so they did.
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Big german shepherds sniffed throughout the gray city, hot on the trail. One of the larger dogs lifted his shaggy head high and a long growl rumbled from his throat. He had picked up the scent of the enemies. Barking furiously, he tugged on the leather leash. Gaz held on tight, and patted the enthusiastic canine on the head affectionately.
"Good boy, King. Good dog. Now hush." she whispered.
King's tail wagged at the praise, shaking his whole, tan body. His keen ears pricked forward and his pink tongue lolled out, eager to finish his job. A fellow officer walked over to Gaz.
"Did he pick up their trail?" he asked.
"No. He simply saw a stray cat, that's all." She said, lying quickly. Hopefully that'd buy her brother some time.
"Hmm, well, keep us informed." he said gruffly, then walked away. Gaz sighed in relief. But it wouldn't be long until someone else picked up their trail.
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Dib and Katherine kept making their way towards the outskirts of town. Dib urged his legs on, which were shaking beneath him. Every step, they were one step closer to giving out, needles of pain stinging up and down with every forced movement. His breaths were more like gasps, but he had to press on. Katherine on the other hand, wasn't used to much physical activity, what with being in a cramped, dark cell for around two years. Her legs didn't ache as much as Dib's, but she was having a hard time keeping up. She panted and plodded one foot in front of the other.
"I can see the woods ahead!" Dib exclaimed.
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"How's everything going?" Zim asked.
"We've picked up a trail, sir!" a soldier replied.
"Excellent..we'll have them in no time."
The military's dog trainer released a pack of dogs, who fervently tore off into the direction Dib and Katherine were heading.
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Ten minutes later Dib's sharp ears picked up barking in the distance. "We're being followed.."
Zim rushed after the dogs, a long, magenta cape flowing behind him. He would see to it the escapees got what was coming to them. A group of soldiers followed him, guns ready.
Dib tried running on, but his legs just quit working and he fell hard onto the concrete. He staggered up, numb all over.
"C'mon! Just a little further!" Katherine urged.
"Here, take the folder, I'll catch up." He handed it to her.
"I won't leave you behind, you're our leader! Now let's go!" She said, taking the crumpled file.
Wincing, he stood shakily up, but it was too late. Zim stood defiantly before the two.
"Thought you could escape the iron grasp of Zim did you?" he cackled.
Dib realized how hopeless the situation was. He was surrounded, with at least ten guns pointed at him. Dib had to stall. He quickly picked up a rock when Zim wasn't looking.
"Stand back, Zim! I'm warning you, don't take one step closer. I...uh..have a bomb! One step and I'll blow us all into smithereens!" Zim looked a little worried.
"You're bluffing. Let me see." Zim asked nervously.
"No..no I'm not. I swear, I've gotta bomb." Dib said, not noticing the pair of soldiers standing behind him..
"Um, sir? The fugitive is holding a rock behind his back, not a bomb." a soldier reported.
"Eh..heh. A bomb disguised as a rock..?" Dib tried, sounding like an idiot.
"Enough of these games, Dib. We're not children anymore." Zim said, transforming once more into a businesslike negotiator. "I'll spare you and the girl if you submit to me and hand over that folder. Your choice." Zim very well knew what would be Dib's answer.
Dib sent a questioning, pleading glance over to Katherine, seeking help. She shrugged. Dib knew what he had to say. "Never." he whispered.
"Come again?"
"I said no. Do what you want with us." he repeated.
"Fine. But first you watch your friend die." Zim said, smiling sadistically. He pulled out his personal laser and aimed it directly at the folder, which Katherine held over her chest.
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"No!" Dib yelled.
Zim pulled the trigger, with deadly accuracy.
But Dib leapt in front of Katherine and the folder, saving her. Everything was in a dizzy blur for Dib, instantly he felt piercing, white-hot pain somewhere in his chest. The force of it hammered him to the ground. Katherine looked wordlessly on in horror, Zim looked down at the fallen Dib with a mix of disdain and glee.
Dib looked at Katherine painfully. He touched his wound gingerly, his hand coming back dark red, and then he realized he was lying in a pool of his own blood. His vision was blurred, muddy and fading, but he could make out a green patch standing in front of him, snickering happily. He looked up at Zim hatefully. Then to Katherine again "Run, now, please." he gasped. And then he saw her disappear into the woods, and he hoped to god that she could make it and deliver the files. Now the ground was spinning around, and all the colors were fading to black, all he could hear was Zim's cruel laughter. Dib was tired. Of fighting, of war, of ridicule, of running. So he squeezed his eyes shut one last time.
"There we have it. The last leader of the Resistance, forsaken by his family, forgotten by his friends, at his enemy's feet, dead." Zim said a-matter-of-factly.